[Impact of Enclosure Culture on Heavy Metal Content in Surface Sediments of Hongze Lake and Ecological Risk Assessment].

In order to explore the concentrations of heavy metals and the influence of fencing on Hongze lake, the content, source, and spatial distribution characteristics of heavy metals in surface sediments and ecological risks were analyzed in 2018 after part of the fence around Hongze Lake was removed. The results showed that the average contents of Cr, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Cd, and Pb in the surface sediments in Hongze Lake were 66.78, 33.89, 25.35, 74.77, 16.55, 0.23, and 27.20 mg·kg-1, respectively. Cr, Ni, Cu, Zn, and Pb contents were at non-polluting levels, with As and Cd at the lowest level, based on the accumulation index evaluation. Except for Cd, all the elements showed low potential ecological risk. The results showed that the heavy metal content in the fenced, dismantled, and peripheral areas increased and accumulated towards the center of the lake. The removal of the fence did not significantly reduce the heavy metal content in the short-term. Overall, Hongze Lake presented a state of low ecological risk. In the future, environmental policies should include surface sediment accumulation areas and fencing culture in the north and northeast of Hongze Lake.

Predictors of postoperative biochemical remission in acromegaly.

PURPOSE: Acromegaly is a rare neuroendocrine condition that can lead to significant morbidity. Despite China's vast population size, studies on acromegaly remain sparse. This study aimed to investigate the clinical characteristics and predictors of biochemical remission after surgery for acromegaly using the China Acromegaly Patient Association (CAPA) database. METHODS: A retrospective nationwide study was conducted using patient-reported data from CAPA database between 1998 and 2018. The principal component analysis (PCA) and logistic regression analysis were employed to determine independent predictors of biochemical remission at 3 months in patients after surgery. RESULTS: Of the 546 surgical cases (mean age: 36.8 years; 59.5% females), macroadenomas and invasive tumors (Knosp score 3-4) were 83.9% and 64.1%, respectively. Ninety-five percent of patients were treated with endonasal surgery and 36.8% exhibited biochemical remission at 3-months postoperatively. The following independent predictors of biochemical remission were identified: preoperative growth hormone (GH) levels between 12 and 28 µg/L [odds ratio (OR) = 0.58; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.37-0.92; p = 0.021], preoperative GH levels > 28 µg/L (OR = 0.55; 95% CI, 0.34-0.88; p = 0.013), macroadenoma (OR = 0.56; 95% CI, 0.32-0.96; p = 0.034), giant adenomas (OR = 0.14; 95% CI, 0.05-0.38; p < 0.001), Knosp score 3-4 (OR = 0.37; 95% CI, 0.24-0.57; p < 0.001), and preoperative medication usage (OR = 2.32; 95% CI, 1.46-3.70; p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: In this nationwide study spanning over two decades, we highlight that higher preoperative GH levels, large tumor size, and greater extent of tumor invasiveness are associated with a lower likelihood of biochemical remission at 3-months after surgery, while preoperative medical therapy increases the chance of remission.

[Distribution and Risk Assessment of OCPs in Surface Water, Sediments, and Fish from Lake Gucheng and Inflow and Outflow Rivers].

To investigate the distribution, source, and ecological risk of organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) residues in Lake Gucheng, surface water, sediment, and biological samples were collected from 12 sampling sites of Lake Gucheng and its inlets and outlets during summer and winter, and the concentrations of 19 OCPs were analyzed. The results showed that the concentration (dry weight) of OCPs in Lake Gucheng ranged from 26.74 to 48.12 ng·L-1 in surface water, 9.01 to 35.34 ng·g-1 in sediment, and 13.39 to 124.29 ng·g-1 in organisms. The pollution characteristics of OCPs in surface water showed that the concentration was much higher in summer than in winter, and much higher at inflow and outflow rivers than in farming ponds and the central region of Lake Gucheng; the seasonal pollution characteristics in sediment were not obvious. All 19 kinds of OCPs in water, sediment, and organisms were detected in different degrees, and the dominant contaminants were HCHs and DDTs. α-HCH was the main pollutant at all sites in both surface water and sediment, with 21% to 42% of total HCHs in two seasons. p,p'-DDD was the main pollutant in surface water with 30% to 76% of total DDTs, whereas p,p'-DDT was the main pollutant in sediment with 68% to 93% of total DDTs in two seasons. Source analysis based on ratios of HCHs isomers and DDTs isomers indicated that there was a new input of OCPs under anaerobic conditions in the study area. The ecological risk assessment showed that the OCPs in surface water did not lead to significant health risks, but the OCPs in sediments might pose ecological risks to the Lake Gucheng ecosystem. The organisms were within the acceptable potential carcinogenic risk range.

Tissue concentrations, trophic transfer and human risks of antibiotics in freshwater food web in Lake Taihu, China.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the tissue distributions of antibiotics in the fish, the bioaccumulation and trophic transfer in freshwater food web in Taihu Lake, a large shallow freshwater lake. Twenty four out of 41 antibiotics were detected in the biotas of the food web; and antibiotic concentrations followed the orders: fish plasma ~ fish muscle < fish liver ~ fish bile and fish < invertebrates ~ plankton. Antibiotic concentrations in the liver of piscivores were higher than those in omnivores and planktivores. Most bioaccumulation factors (BAFs) of sulfonamides (SAs), macrolides (MLs), ionophores (IPs) and lincomycin (LIN) were less than 2000 L/kg, indicating low bioaccumulation ability of these compounds in fish. Fluoroquinolones (FQs) were frequently detected in fish liver, invertebrates and plankton with much of BAFs great than 5000 L/kg, indicating that FQs have the potential of bioaccumulation in fish. Relationship analysis between BAFs and physicochemical properties of antibiotics showed that the bioaccumulation of antibiotics in the biota was related with their adsorption ability. Generally, the antibiotics in the food web of Lake Taihu including plankton, invertebrates and fish showed trophic dilution. The normalized estimated daily intake (EDI) values are less than the acceptable daily intake (ADI) values, and then hazard quotients were much less than 1. This result suggests the consumption of fish, crab and shrimp in Lake Taihu would probably not pose direct detrimental effects on humans.

MicroRNAs and Target Genes in Pituitary Adenomas.

Pituitary adenomas account for the top three primary intracranial tumors in terms of total incidence rates. The clinical symptoms presented by the disease are often characterized by a series of systemic endocrine disorders, severe occupational lesions, and even some malignant features, and therefore early diagnosis and predicting recurrence would be instructive for clinical treatment of pituitary adenomas. An increasing number of specific microRNA (miRNA) expression signatures have been identified in pituitary, and miRNAs are related with the pituitary tumorigenesis, dysfunction, neurodegeneration, and metastatic non-functioning pituitary carcinoma. Here, this paper reviews the effects of aberrant miRNA expression in human pituitary adenomas and summarizes some corresponding target genes and biological significance over the last 7 years (2010-2017).

SUBCLINICAL IMPAIRMENT OF LEFT VENTRICULAR LONGITUDINAL FUNCTION IN PATIENTS WITH PROLACTINOMAS.

OBJECTIVE: Hyperprolactinemia has been associated with endothelial dysfunction and a wide range of cardiovascular risk factors, thus it can potentially lead to cardiac dysfunction. The present study was designed to interrogate our hypothesis that hyperprolactinemia can contribute to preclinical impaired left ventricular function. METHODS: Thirty-one prolactinoma patients and 60 healthy volunteers were prospectively recruited. Left ventricular function was evaluated using conventional two dimensions and M-mode echocardiography, as well as Doppler tissue imaging (DTI). RESULTS: The Tei index (0.45 ± 0.06 vs. 0.41 ± 0.03, P = .005) and ratio of transmitral and myocardial early diastolic velocities (E/Em; 6.30 ± 1.45 vs. 5.64 ± 0.69, P = .045) were significantly higher, and septal systolic velocity (Sm; 9.88 ± 1.45 vs. 11.58 ± 1.28 cm/s, P<.001) was significantly lower in prolactinoma patients. Furthermore, significant motional abnormalities were detected in regional segments of prolactinoma patients. Pearson's correlation analysis revealed that prolactin level was inversely associated with Sm (r = -0.373, P = .009) and late diastolic phase (Am; r = -0.293, P = .043). Moreover, inverse correlations between prolactin and partial left ventricular segment wall motion were found, including the basal (r = -0.363, P = .014), middle (r = -0.418, P = .004), and apical segment (r = -0.574, P<.001) of the posterior ventricular septum. Multivariate linear regression analysis revealed that prolactin (ß = -0.28, 95% confidence interval -0.011 to 0, P = .035), as a single factor, can significantly predict decreased Sm, independent of traditional vascular risk factors. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that subclinical cardiac dysfunction occurs in untreated prolactinoma patients and is characterized by impaired systolic and diastolic function of the left ventricle, as well as regional segment motional abnormality. ABBREVIATIONS: A = transmitral late diastolic velocity Am = late diastolic phase Apo = apolipoprotein DTI = Doppler tissue imaging E = transmitral early diastolic velocity Em = myocardial early diastolic velocity FMD = flow-mediated dilation HOMA-IR = homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance hsCRP = high-sensitivity C-reactive protein IMT = intima media thickness LDL-C = low-density lipoprotein cholesterol LV = left ventricular PPCM = postpartum cardiomyopathy Sm = septal systolic velocity.

[Value of MCV/RDW Combined with Reticulocyte Parameters in Differential Diagnosis of Anemia Diseases].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the value of mean corpuscular volume/RBC distribution width (MCV/RDW) combined with reticulocyte parameters in differential diagnosis of aplastic anemia (AA), myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), megaloblastic anemia (MA) and hemolytic anemia (HA) in order to provide some laboratorial evidence for clinical doctors in first diagnosis of these diseases. METHODS: The data of MCV/RDW and reticulocyte parameters of AA, MDS, MA and HA patients from January 1 of 2011 to August 31 of 2014 were retrospectively collected in West China Hospital of Sichuan University. And 158 healthy unrelated individuals with age-, sex-matched were collected as controls. The value of MCV/RDW and reticulocyte parameters in differentiating diagnosis of above mentioned 4 kinds of anemia diseases was assessed. ROC analysis was used to determine the cutoff value of MCV/RDW and the reticulocyte parameters were performed in differentiating diagnosis of AA and MDS. RESULTS: The average values of MCV/RDW of 158 AA patients (79 acute AA patients and 79 chronic AA patients), 107 MDS patients, 13 MA patients and 81 HA patients increased in variable degrees as compared with the controls, and there was statistical difference between them, the MCV/RDW value of acute AA patients was obviously less than that of other patients. In the 4 kinds of anemia diseases, the reticulocyte absolute count in acute AA patients was the lowest, that of chronic AA, MA and MDS patients was higher, and that of HA patients was highest. The ratio of low fluorescent reticulocyte decreased, and the ratio of moderate and high fluorescent reticulocytes increased in the 4 kinds of anemia diseases, as compared to controls. The difference was statistically significant. The analysis of differential diagnosis of chronic AA and MDS showed that RDW-SD could differentiate the chronic AA from MDS. The area under the curve (AUC) of RDW-SD was 0.76 (P < 0.01). The cutoff value of RDW-SD was 22.75fl. The sensitivity and specificity of RDW-SD for differential of chronic AA and MDS was 49.5% and 98.7%, respectively. CONCLUSION: MCV/RDW and reticulocyte parameters can be used as the laboratorial differential diagnostic indicators for AA, MDS, MA and HA diseases.

Expression profiling of O(6) methylguanine-DNA-methyl transferase in prolactinomas: a correlative study of promoter methylation and pathological features in 136 cases.

BACKGROUND: Low-level expression of O(6) methylguanine-DNA-methyl transferase (MGMT) prolactinomas has been noted previously in case reports, although what modulates MGMT expression remains unclear. This study therefore aimed to delineate the factors regulating MGMT expression in prolactinomas. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 136 prolactinoma patients who were treated in our center between January 2000 and September 2013. Expression of MGMT, Ki-67, and p53 protein were examined by immunohistochemical staining, and MGMT promoter methylation evaluated with methylation-specific PCR. RESULTS: MGMT immunopositivity was <25 % in 106/136 tumor specimens (77.94 %). MGMT immunoexpression was positively correlated with age (r = 0.251, p = 0.003), but inversely correlated with p53 staining (r = -0.153, p = 0.021). Moreover, reduced MGMT expression was more frequent in atypical prolactinomas (p = 0.044). Methylated MGMT promoter was confirmed in 10/46 specimens (21.7 %), all of which had low level or absent MGMT staining. Both p53 protein (r = -0.33, p = 0.025) and promoter methylation (r = -0.331, p = 0.025) were negatively associated with MGMT expression. Multivariate logistic analysis indicated that age (odds ratio [OR] = 1.127. 95 % confidence interval [CI] 1.027-1.236, p = 0.012) and p53 (OR = 0.116. 95 % CI 0.018-0.761, p = 0.025) staining were independent determents of MGMT expression. CONCLUSIONS: The majority of prolactinomas, especially atypical prolactinomas, showed low-level or no MGMT immunoexpression, providing a rationale for the utility of temozolomide as an alternative to managing prolactinomas. In summary, epigenetic and transcriptional regulation are involved in silencing MGMT expression.

[Genetic Polymorphisms in Wnt Signaling Pathway and Acute Leukemia].

OBJECTIVE: To determine the impacts of Wnt signaling pathway products-polymorphisms of rs4135385, rs11079571 and rs7832767 located in ß-catenin gene (CTNNB1), Axin gene (AXIN2), and secreted frizzled-related protein gene (SFRP1) on the risk and treatment outcomes of acute leukemia. METHODS: Bone marrows (volume 1-1. 5 mL) were collected from 372 untreated patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) or acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), and peripheral blood samples (2. 0 mL) were obtained from 401 healthy controls for the purpose of total DNA extraction. Polymorphisms of rs4135385, rs11079571 and rs7832767 located in CTNNB1, AXIN2 and SFRP1 were genotyped with high-resolution melting method (HRM). Chi-square analyses were performed to compare the genotype and allele distributions of the three single nucleotides (SNPs) between the leukemia patients and healthy controls. Single factor variance tests were performed to compare the differences in clinical features among different genotype groups. Complete remission (CR) rates after induction chemotherapy were also compared between different genotype groups using Chi-square tests. RESULTS: No significant differences were found beiween the leukemia patients and healthy controls in the frequencies of alleles and genotypes of CTNNB1 rs4135385, SFRP1 rs7832767 polymorphisms. Those with A allele in AXIN2 rs11079571 polymorphism was less likely to have acute myelomonocytic/monocytic leukemia than those with G allele (P = 0. 016, OR=0. 677, 95%CI:0. 439-0. 930). Acute bead monocyte/mononuclear cell leukemia (AML-M4/5)patients with AA genotype presented higher platelet count (P = 0. 040), and higher complete remission rate after chemotherapy (P = 0. 040), compared with the patients with AG and GG genotypes. CONCLUSION: AML-M4/5 patients have less frequency of A allele in AXIN2 rs11079571 polymorphism than healthy controls. Patients carrying A allele have higher platelet counts and higher sensitivity to chemotherapy.

The marine metabolite SZ-685C induces apoptosis in primary human nonfunctioning pituitary adenoma cells by inhibition of the Akt pathway in vitro.

Nonfunctioning pituitary adenoma (NFPA) is one of the most common types of pituitary adenoma. The marine anthraquinone derivative SZ-685C has been isolated from the secondary metabolites of the mangrove endophytic fungus Halorosellinia sp. (No. 1403) which is found in the South China Sea. Recent research has shown that SZ-685C possesses anticancer and tumor suppressive effects. The tetrazolium-based colorimetric assay (MTT assay) to investigate the different effect of the marine compound SZ-685C on the proliferation of primary human NFPA cells, rat normal pituitary cells (RPCs) and rat prolactinoma MMQ cell lines. Hoechst 33342 dye/propidium iodide (PI) double staining and fluorescein isothiocyanate-conjugated Annexin V/PI (Annexin V-FITC/PI) apoptosis assays detected an enhanced rate of apoptosis in cells treated with SZ-685C. Enhanced expression levels of caspase 3 and phosphate and tensin homolog (PTEN) were determined by Western blotting. Notably, the protein expression levels of Akt were decreased when the primary human NFPA cells were treated with SZ-685C. Here, we show that SZ-685C induces apoptosis of human NFPA cells through inhibition of the Akt pathway in vitro. The understanding of apoptosis has provided the basis for novel targeted therapies that can induce death in cancer cells or sensitize them to established cytotoxic agents and radiation therapy.

[Pollution distribution and potential ecological risk assessment of heavy metals in sediments from the different eastern dredging regions of Lake Taihu].

In order to investigate the distribution characteristics of nutrients and heavy metals in sediments from different eastern dredging regions of Lake Taihu, the surface and core sediment samples at 5 sites (in East Taihu Lake and Xukou Bay) were collected in 2012. Contents of nutrients (TOC, TN and TP) and heavy metals (As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Hg, Ni, Pb and Zn) in the sediments were measured and the pollution degrees of heavy metals were evaluated with the potential ecological risk method. The results showed that the heavy metal contents in Xukou Bay were generally higher than those in East Taihu Lake, whereas the nutrients contents showed the reverse trend. There were significant differences between the phytoplankton-dominated and culture lake regions. The concentrations of both nutrients and heavy metals decreased with increasing profile depth. Moreover, the contents of nutrients and heavy metals in the sediments of all dredged areas were lower than those in the un-dredged areas, suggesting that dredging may be a useful approach for decreasing nutrients and heavy metals loading in sediments, but its effectiveness decreased with time. Significant positive correlations were found among different heavy metals and nutrients, indicating that they were from the same pollution source. The Hakanson potential ecological risk index was applied for assessing the status of sediment heavy metal enrichment and the result indicated that sediment dredging could reduce the extent of potential ecological risk. The risk index in different sites followed the order: X1 > D1 > D3 > X2 > D2, while the risk index in site X1 of Xukou Bay was higher than that in site D1 of East Taihu Lake. And the comprehensive ecological risk grades in sites X1 and D1 were in the moderate range, while the sites D2, D3 and X2 were low.

Clinical applications of somatostatin analogs for growth hormone-secreting pituitary adenomas.

Excessive growth hormone (GH) is usually secreted by GH-secreting pituitary adenomas and causes gigantism in juveniles or acromegaly in adults. The clinical complications involving cardiovascular, respiratory, and metabolic systems lead to elevated morbidity in acromegaly. Control of serum GH and insulin-like growth factor (IGF) 1 hypersecretion by surgery or pharmacotherapy can decrease morbidity. Current pharmacotherapy includes somatostatin analogs (SAs) and GH receptor antagonist; the former consists of lanreotide Autogel (ATG) and octreotide long-acting release (LAR), and the latter refers to pegvisomant. As primary medical therapy, lanreotide ATG and octreotide LAR can be supplied in a long-lasting formulation to achieve biochemical control of GH and IGF-1 by subcutaneous injection every 4-6 weeks. Lanreotide ATG and octreotide LAR provide an effective medical treatment, whether as a primary or secondary therapy, for the treatment of GH-secreting pituitary adenoma; however, to maximize benefits with the least cost, several points should be emphasized before the application of SAs. A comprehensive assessment, especially of the observation of clinical predictors and preselection of SA treatment, should be completed in advance. A treatment process lasting at least 3 months should be implemented to achieve a long-term stable blood concentration. More satisfactory surgical outcomes for noninvasive macroadenomas treated with presurgical SA may be achieved, although controversy of such adjuvant therapy exists. Combination of SA and pegvisomant or cabergoline shows advantages in some specific cases. Thus, an individual treatment program should be established for each patient under a full evaluation of the risks and benefits.

Increased carotid intima media thickness is associated with prolactin levels in subjects with untreated prolactinoma: a pilot study.

Hyperprolactinemia is associated with endothelial dysfunction and atherogenic risk factors, but carotid intima media thickness (IMT) has not been studied in hyperprolactinemic patients. To determine whether untreated hyperprolactinemia contributes to increased carotid IMT. Thirty-one prolactinoma patients and 60 healthy controls were respectively studied. Participants underwent hormone evaluation. Anthropometric parameters (body mass index and blood pressure), inflammatory markers (high-sensitivity C-reactive protein and fibrinogen), serum glucose, insulin, lipid and apolipoprotein profiles were also determined. Endothelial function measured as the flow-mediated dilation (FMD) of a brachial artery and carotid IMT were evaluated using high-resolution ultrasonography. Multivariate linear regression analysis was applied to identify independent determinants of FMD and carotid IMT. Triglycerides, homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance, apolipoprotein (apo)B/apoA-I ratio, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) and fibrinogen were significantly higher, while apoA-I was significantly lower in patients with prolactinomas than in the controls. Meanwhile, decreased FMD and increased carotid IMT were observed in hyperprolactinemic group. Serum prolactin was positively correlated with triglycerides, apoB/apoA-I ratio, hypogonadal, hsCRP and fibrinogen (P < 0.05), but inversely associated with apoA-I and HDL-C (P ≤ 0.001). Moreover, prolactin was found negatively correlated with FMD (r = -0.576, P < 0.0001), and positively correlated with mean carotid IMT (r = 0.652, P < 0.0001). Multivariate regression analysis revealed that prolactin determined, independent of traditional risk factors, FMD (B = -0.589, 95% confidence interval (CI) -2.525 to -0.804, P = 0.001) and mean carotid IMT (B = 0.527, 95% CI 0.027-0.069, P < 0.0001). Hyperprolactinemia may be involved in the preclinical increase in carotid IMT, directly or by promoting atherogenic factors, including insulin resistance, low-grade inflammation and endothelial dysfunction. Additional studies are warranted to confirm our findings and explore the mechanisms underlying prolactin-associated early atherosclerosis.

Advances in the study of the structures and bioactivities of metabolites isolated from mangrove-derived fungi in the South China Sea.

Many metabolites with novel structures and biological activities have been isolated from the mangrove fungi in the South China Sea, such as anthracenediones, xyloketals, sesquiterpenoids, chromones, lactones, coumarins and isocoumarin derivatives, xanthones, and peroxides. Some compounds have anticancer, antibacterial, antifungal and antiviral properties, but the biosynthesis of these compounds is still limited. This review summarizes the advances in the study of secondary metabolites from the mangrove-derived fungi in the South China Sea, and their biological activities reported between 2008 and mid-2013.

[The expression of MGMT in pituitary adenomas and its association with tumour aggressiveness].

OBJECTIVE: To determine the expression of O6-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase (MGMT) in pituitary adenomas and its association with tumour aggressiveness. METHODS: From October 2011 to August 2012, all the patients with pathologically confirmed pituitary adenomas in our hospital were recruited for this study. The expression of MGMT in the tumor tissues was detected with immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: A total of 138 (including 71 male) patients participated in this study. The majority of the participants had nonfunctional (71%) and macroadenomas (92.8%). Aggressive and relapsed pituitary adenomas accounted for 31.2% and 8.7% of the cases, respectively. Low MGMT expression was found in 79 cases. The MGMT expression had no significant associations with gender, age, aggressiveness and relapse of tumors. However, prolactinomas were more likely to have low MGMT expression than nonfunctional adenomas (P = 0.025) and growth hormone adenomas (P = 0.043). CONCLUSION: The expression of MGMT has no associations with the aggressiveness and relapse of pituitary adenomas. Prolactinomas are more likely to have low expression of MGMT, which indicates that temozolomide might become an alternative treatment for aggressive and dopamine resistant prolactinomas.

[Hydroacoustic assessment of fish resources in reservoirs with different fishery management].

By using Biosonics DT-X echosounder (208 kHz), a hydroacoustic investigation was conducted on the fish resources in three mesotrophic reservoirs (Daxi Reservoir, Shahe Reservoir, and Jinniushan Reservoir) with different fishery management in late autumn and early winter 2011, and a GIS model was constructed to assess the fish resource distribution in the reservoirs. No significant difference was observed in the average size of fish in the three reservoirs, but the distribution curves of fish target strength (TS) showed that the fish size distribution proportion was different, and had close correlation with fishery management. The fish density in Daxi Reservoir (averagely 0.0183 ind x m(-3)) had no significant difference with that in Shahe Reservoir (averagely 0.0124 ind x m(-3)), but the fish density in Jinniushan Reservoir (averagely 0.0085 ind x m(-3)) was significantly lower than that in Daxi and Shahe reservoirs. There was no significant correlation between the horizontal distribution of fish density and the water depth in the three reservoirs. The fish in the three reservoirs were in group distribution, and fish aggregation was found in Daxi and Shahe reservoirs. In the three reservoirs, the fish biomass was the highest in downstream, and there was a greater biomass near the dam, except in Shahe Reservoir which was affected by fish catch activity. Based on the raster data obtained from GIS fish distribution model and the surface water area of each grid, the total amount of fish resources with the TS > -60 dB in the Daxi, Shahe and Jinniushan reservoirs was estimated as about 480000, 610000 and 520000 individuals, and that with the TS > -40 dB was about 50400, 52900 and 90700 individuals, respectively.

BMI, apolipoprotein B/apolipoprotein A-I ratio, and insulin resistance in patients with prolactinomas: a pilot study in a Chinese cohort.

Deranged metabolic profiles and insulin resistance (IR) have been documented in patients with prolactinomas. Few data are yet available on the apolipoprotein (apo) B/apoA-I ratio and its relationship with IR in patients with prolactinomas. This study was aimed to evaluate the level of apoB/apoA-I ratio and its association with IR in a Chinese subgroup with prolactinomas. Twenty-three prolactinoma patients and 20 healthy controls were enrolled in this study. The clinical anthropometric parameters and laboratory evaluation were collected. Insulin sensitivity was estimated using homeostatic model assessment [homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR)]. Waist circumference and body weight index (BMI) were significantly higher in patients with prolactinomas than those in the controls (p < 0.05). Meanwhile, the prevalence of general and abdominal obesity seemed more pronounced in male patients compared to that in healthy subjects (57.14 vs. 0 % and 71.43 vs. 16.7 %, respectively). Furthermore, fasting glucose, insulin, HOMA-IR, triglyceride, and apoB/apoA-I ratio were also significantly higher in prolactinoma patients, but with lower level of apoA-I (p < 0.05). Univariate regression analysis revealed that prolactin, waist circumference, BMI, and presence of hypogonadism were significantly associated with IR (p < 0.05). However, only BMI [odds ratio (OR) = 1.937, 95 % confidence interval (CI) 1.112-3.375, p = 0.02] and prolactin (OR = 5.173, 95 % CI 1.073-24.94, p = 0.041) were shown to be independent predictors for the presence of IR in multivariate logistic analysis. This study confirmed the altered metabolic profile, including body weight gain, IR, disordered lipids, and apolipoproteins in prolactinoma patients. Prolactin and BMI were independently associated with IR. The effect of apoB/apoA-I ratio on IR is warranted to be determined in further studies.

Artesunate inhibits cell proliferation and decreases growth hormone synthesis and secretion in GH3 cells.

To determine the effect of artesunate (ART) on the rat pituitary adenoma GH3 cell line to evaluate its potential as a novel agent in growth hormone (GH) adenoma and to investigate its underlying mechanisms of action. The MTT assay was used to assess cell proliferation. DAPI staining was used to visualise apoptotic changes in the nucleus. We also analyzed cell apoptosis and cell cycle stage by flow cytometry, semi-quantitative RT-PCR analysis for the expression of GH mRNA and apoptosis-induced factor (AIF) mRNA, analysis of GH protein by western blot, ELISA detection of secreted GH, and the caspase inhibition assay. We found that ART inhibited the proliferation of GH3 cells in a dose- and time-dependent manner, with an IC50 of 9.53 ± 4.12 µM. The IC50s of ART against of two normal cell lines (mouse embryonic fibroblasts, and rat bone mesenchymal cells) were much higher than the IC50 recorded for the GH3 cells. ART induced apoptosis and blocked GH3 at G2/M arrest. The pan caspase inhibitor V-ZAD-FMK partly attenuated the inhibitory effect of ART. ART increased the expression of AIF mRNA and reduced GH mRNA levels, GH synthesis and the secretion of GH level in GH3 cells. ART can inhibit proliferation and induce apoptosis in GH3 cells by caspase-dependent pathways. Additionally, ART can inhibit GH synthesis and secretion. Thus, we propose ART as a probably anti-tumour candidate drug in the treatment of GH adenoma.

[Experimental study on the environmental fate of nitrogen in snail-macrophyte ecosystem for water purification].

A snail-macrophyte simulation system was built and isotope tracer technique was adopted to study the environmental fate of nitrogen in snail-macrophyte purification system, the results showed that: Vallisneria spiralis increased its wet weight by 580% and its number by 6.6 ramets, moreover, Vallisneria spiralis absorbed 1.07% 15N by the roots and 7.74% by stems and leaves, while Bellamya only absorbed 0.06%. And 5.73% 15N was retained in the sediment. Through analyzing of the results, it indicated that: in such simulation system, sediment was the main nutrition source for the growth of Vallisneria spiralis, which absorbed only few dissolved nitrogen from water; ammonium nitrogen in water was transformed mainly in the sediment-water interface, most of which was absorbed by Vallisneria spiralis, a small amount was removed through nitrification and denitrification, and the rest was kept by sediment; Vallisneria spiralis was final vector for removing nitrogen in the system, and Bellamya could also boost the growth of Vallisneria spiralis and strengthen the processes of nitrification and denitrification, thus promoting the nitrogen removal from the system indirectly. So, during the period of culture, rational allocation of snail-macrophyte structure in different stages plays an important role in controlling water quality in ponds.