Enzymatic Activity of Glutathione S-Transferase and Dental Fluorosis Among Children Receiving Two Different Levels of Naturally Fluoridated Water

This study was conducted to measure the activity of the enzyme glutathione S-transferase (GST) in saliva and to compare the activity of this enzyme in children with and without dental fluorosis in communities with different concentrations of naturally fluoridated water. A total of 141 schoolchildren participated in this cross-sectional study. Children were selected from two communities: one with a low (0.4 ppm) and the other with a high (1.8 ppm) water fluoride concentration. Dental fluorosis was evaluated by applying the Thylstrup and Fejerskov Index (TFI) criteria. Stimulated saliva was obtained, and fluoride concentration and GST activity were measured. The GST activity was compared among children with different levels of dental fluorosis using multinomial logistic regression models and odds ratios (OR). The mean age of the children was 10.6 (±1.03) years. Approximately half of the children showed dental fluorosis (52.5 %). The average GST activity was 0.5678 (±0.1959) nmol/min/μg. A higher concentration of fluoride in the saliva was detected in children with a higher GST activity (p = 0.039). A multinomial logistic regression model used to evaluate the GST activity and the dental fluorosis score identified a strong association between TFI = 2–3 (OR = 15.44, p = 0.007) and TFI ≥ 4 (OR = 55.40, p = 0.026) and the GST activity level, compared with children showing TFI = 0–1, adjusted for age and sex. Schoolchildren with higher levels of dental fluorosis and a higher fluoride concentration in the saliva showed greater GST activity. The increased GST activity most likely was the result of the body’s need to inactivate free radicals produced by exposure to fluoride.     

Association of Dental Fluorosis with Polymorphisms of Estrogen Receptor Gene in Chinese Children

Dental fluorosis (DF) is one of the important performances of endemic fluorosis. Some studies indicated that estrogen receptor (ESR) gene polymorphisms were associated with bone metabolism-related diseases. Therefore, it is possible that the variation in ESR genotypes will be associated with DF status. A case?Ccontrol study was conducted among children aged 8?C12 years with (n?=?75) or without (n?=?165) DF in China to investigate the relationship between ESR gene polymorphisms and DF. Gene polymorphisms were genotyped using the PCR-RFLP procedure. Children carrying R allele of ER RsaI had significantly increased risk of DF (Odds ratio (OR)?=?1.821; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.013?C3.274) compared to children carrying r allele of ER RsaI in endemic fluorosis villages. For children with high-loaded fluoride status, carrying X allele of ESR?? XbaI had a significantly decreased risk of DF (OR?=?0.542; 95% CI, 0.314?C0.936) compared to carrying x allele. This study provides the first evidence of an association between polymorphisms in the ESR gene with DF in high-fluoride-exposed populations. Further studies are needed to confirm the association.     

Prevalence of Elevated Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone Levels in Obese Children and Adolescents

ObjectiveTo determine the prevalence of elevated thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels in obese children and adolescents referred to pediatric endocrinology clinics.MethodsWe undertook a retrospective review of medical records of 191 obese and 125 nonobese children (younger than 18 years old). Data about age, sex, body mass index, TSH, thyroid functions, thyroid antibodies, thyroid size, and medications were collected.ResultsSix obese patients had Hashimoto disease and TSH values from 0.73 to 12.73 mIU/L; they were excluded from the study analyses. Of the remaining 185 obese subjects, 20 (10.8%) had TSH levels > 4 mIU/L, but no control subject measurement exceeded this TSH value. The highest TSH concentration in an obese study subject was 7.51 mIU/L. When obese children with TSH levels > 4 mIU/L were classified in a third group, the mean TSH in the rest of the obese children was comparable with that in the control group (1.98 ± 0.84 [SD] and 1.95 ± 0.80 mIU/L, respectively; post hoc analysis of variance, P = .945). Obese subjects with increased TSH values had a mean body mass index similar to that for obese subjects with normal TSH levels (34.98 ± 6.12 [SD] and 34.29 ± 7.84 kg/m², respectively).ConclusionMild elevation of TSH values in the absence of autoimmune thyroid disease is not uncommon in some obese children and adolescents. This is the second study in the United States to report this observation. Our study did not identify any special characteristics of obese subjects with TSH elevation in comparison with obese children with normal TSH levels and the control group. Current medical knowledge does not support routine screening for thyroid dysfunction in obese children. (Endocr Pract. 2010;16:187-190)     

生长激素基因多态性与山羊体重性状的关系

以鲁北白山羊、波尔山羊以及波尔山羊与鲁北白山羊的杂交一代、回交一代共计224只山羊为材料,根据山羊生长激素基因5′调控区的序列(GenBank登录号:D00476)设计两对引物,用PCRSSCP法进行多态性分析。多态性片段的纯合基因型经克隆测序,发现共有5处突变。对突变位点产生的不同基因型与体重、体尺性状进行分析表明:第一对引物扩增片段波尔山羊AA型个体的初生重、周岁重显著高于BB型和AB型(P<0.05);杂交一代中断奶重、周岁重也以AA型偏高,但不同基因型间的差异均不显著(P>0.05);而鲁北白山羊BB基因型的体重相对于另外两种基因型的偏低,且断奶重的差异达到显著水平(P<0.05)。第二对引物扩增片段不同基因型对体重、体尺没有显著影响。由此初步推断生长激素基因可能是影响山羊体重性状的主基因或与主基因相连锁,可以用该位点对山羊体重性状进行标记辅助选择。     

Epidemiological,Clinical, and Biochemical Study of Endemic Dental and Skeletal Fluorosis in Punjab

The incidence of dental fluorosis in 46,000 children in the Punjab was assessed and compared with the fluoride content of their water supplies. Ten villages were selected for more detailed studies of skeletal as well as dental fluorosis.Factors other than the fluoride contect of the drinking water which were found to influence the incidence and the severity of fluorosis were the chemical composition of the water and in particular its calcium content; the duration of exposure; sex and occupation; nutritional status; and climatic and geological variations. The role of fluoride-containing foodstuffs has yet to be assessed.     

The Relationship between Endogenous Hormone Levels in the Plant and Seasonal Aspects of Cambial Activity

The auxin levels at different heights in a ring-porous (Ulmusglabra) and a diffuse-porous (Populus trichocarpa) tree werefollowed in spring. There was shown to be a correlation betweenthe pattern of spread of cambial activity and auxin gradients.The observed continuation of cambial activity after cessationof extension growth in ring-porous species is apparently dueto the fact that the mature leaves produce auxin, whereas littleauxin is produced by the leaves of diffuse-porous species underthese conditions. The spring/summerwood transition in ring-porousspecies can be related to a fall in auxin level at the timethat shoot extension-growth ceases. There is evidence of phloemproduction after the cessation of xylem production in Ailanthusaltissima and Robinia pseudacacia, but not in Betula pubescentand Acer pseudoplatanus. It is suggested that, in Ailan-thus,phloem production continues because high endogenous gibberellinlevels are present after the auxin level has been reduced byshort-day treatment.     

Serum Copper,Zinc, and Magnesium Levels in Patients with Chronic Fluorosis

Although there are many studies on effect of fluoride on trace elements in experimental animals, few studies exist on serum trace elements levels in patients with endemic fluorosis. We aimed to determine the serum levels of trace elements including serum copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), and serum levels of minerals including calcium (Ca), phosphorus (P), magnesium (Mg), sodium (Na), potassium (K) in patients with endemic fluorosis. The study group consisted of 30 patients with endemic fluorosis (17 females, 13 males, mean age 33.53 ± 9.85 years). An age, gender, and body mass index matched 30 healthy volunteers comprised control group (21 females, ten males with a mean age 33.93 ± 7.39 years). Urine fluoride levels of chronic fluorosis patients were significantly higher than that of control subjects as expected (1.92 ± 0.10 mg/l vs. 0.41 ± 0.09 mg/l, respectively; P < 0.001). Serum Cu levels (89.14 ± 16.77 μg/dL vs. 102.69 ± 25.04 μg/dL, respectively, P = 0.017), serum Zn levels (77.98 ± 20.58 μg/dL vs. 94.57 ± 35.87μg/dL, respectively, P = 0.032), and serum Mg levels (1.92 ± 0.18 mg/dL vs. 2.07 ± 0.31 mg/dL, respectively, p = 0.022) was significantly lower in chronic fluorosis patients than in controls. There were no statistically significant differences between the fluorosis group and control group with respect to serum levels of Na, K, Ca, and P. We concluded that chronic fluorosis is associated with reduced serum levels of Cu, Zn, and Mg.     

Evaluation of the Relationship Between Height and Zinc,Copper, Iron,Calcium, and Magnesium Levels in Healthy Young Children in Beijing,China

Studies suggest a relationship between semen quality and the concentration of trace elements in serum or seminal plasma. However, trace elements may be linked to DNA and capable of altering the gene expression patterns. Thus, trace element interactions with DNA may contribute to the mechanisms for a trans-generational reproductive effect. We developed an analytical method to determine the amount of trace elements bound to the sperm DNA, and to estimate their affinity for the sperm DNA by the ratio: R = Log [metal concentration in the sperm DNA/metal concentration in seminal plasma]. We then analyzed the concentrations of 15 trace elements (Al, Cd, Cr, Cu, Hg, Mn, Mo, Ni, Pb, Ti, V, Zn, As, Sb, and Se) in the seminal plasma and the sperm DNA in 64 normal and 30 abnormal semen specimens with Inductively Coupled Plasma/Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS). This study showed all trace elements were detected in the seminal plasma and only metals were detected in the sperm DNA. There was no correlation between the metals’ concentrations in the seminal plasma and the sperm DNA. Al had the highest affinity for DNA followed by Pb and Cd. This strong affinity is consistent with the known mutagenic effects of these metals. The lowest affinity was observed for Zn and Ti. We observed a significant increase of Al linked to the sperm DNA of patients with oligozoospermia and teratozoospermia. Al’s reproductive toxicity might be due to Al linked to DNA, by altering spermatogenesis and expression patterns of genes involved in the function of reproduction.     

High Prevalence of Vitamin D Insufficiency in China: Relationship with the Levels of Parathyroid Hormone and Markers of Bone Turnover

There is a lack of large-scale studies on vitamin D status and its relationship to parathyroid hormone (PTH) and bone turnover markers in adults living in Shanghai. The objectives were to determine the prevalence of vitamin D insufficiency in Shanghai and to investigate the relationship of 25(OH)D with parathyroid function and bone turnover markers. This cross-sectional study involved 649 men and 1939 women aged 20–89 years who were randomly sampled in Shanghai. Serum concentrations of 25(OH)D, PTH, albumin, and bone turnover markers were measured. During the winter season, the prevalence of vitamin D insufficiency (<30 ng/mL) was 84% in males and 89% in females. The prevalence of vitamin D deficiency (<20 ng/mL) was 30% in males and 46% in females. With increasing serum 25(OH)D concentrations categorized as <10, 10–20, 20–30, and ≥30 ng/mL, the mean PTH and bone turnover markers levels gradually decreasd in both sexes (p<0.001). There was an inverse relationship between the serum 25(OH)D and PTH concentrations in both genders, but no threshold of 25(OH)D at which PTH levels plateaued was observed. There were modest but significantly inverse relationships between the levels of 25(OH)D and bone turnover markers, but no plateau was observed for serum 25(OH)D levels up to 40 ng/mL.     

重组人生长激素治疗生长激素缺乏症的疗效观察

目的：正确评价重组人生长激素（rhGH）治疗儿童生长激素缺乏症（GHD）的疗效。方法：GHD患儿47例,给予rhGH0．1U／（kg．d）,疗程3个月,并对其疗效进行观察。结果：身高（height）由（122±17．67）cm增至（125．32±17．50）cm,生长速率（growthrate）由〈4cm／年增加到（10．40±3．74）cm／年。血清碱性磷酸酶（AKP）由（207±48．11）IU／L增至（261±45．29）IU／L。I型前胶原羧基端伸展肽（PICP）由（97．80±14．94）ng／ml增至（119．50±24．10）ng／ml值。肌酐（Cr）由（40．20±8．28）umol／L变为（36．50±8．33）umol／L值。结论：rhGH是治疗GHD有效的药物。     

Relationship between Plasma Adiponectin Levels and Metabolic Risk Profiles in Taiwanese Children

Objective: Adiponectin, a novel adipokine with antiinflammatory and insulin‐sensitizing properties, has an important role in glucose metabolism and is negatively correlated with body fat amount in adults. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the association of plasma adiponectin level with metabolic risk profiles and insulin resistance status among Taiwanese children. Research Methods and Procedures: We enrolled 1248 children (608 boys and 640 girls) to ascertain their demographic, anthropometric, and cardiovascular risk factors distribution in Taipei. We measured plasma insulin, adiponectin, and leptin levels by radioimmunoassay (Linco Research Inc, St. Charles, MO). We calculated an insulin resistance index (IRI) using the Homeostasis Model Assessment model and also calculated an insulin resistance syndrome (IRS) summary score for each individual by adding the quartile ranks from the distribution of systolic blood pressure, serum triglyceride, high‐density lipoprotein‐cholesterol (HDL‐C) (inverse), and insulin levels. Results: In general, the boys had larger BMI, higher systolic blood pressure, serum total cholesterol, and triglyceride, and lower plasma leptin and adiponectin levels than girls. Plasma adiponectin levels were correlated negatively with BMI, leptin, insulin, IRI, and IRS summary score but positively correlated with HDL‐C in both boys and girls. In multivariate regression analyses, adiponectin was negatively associated with insulin (girls only), IRI (girls only), and IRS score, and positively associated with HDL‐C in both genders even after adjusting for age, BMI, plasma leptin level, and other potential confounders. Discussion: These data suggest that plasma adiponectin levels were negatively associated with metabolic risk profiles that may have played a protective role in the development of insulin resistance among Taiwanese school children.     

Association between Decreased Klotho Blood Levels and Organic Growth Hormone Deficiency in Children with Growth Impairment

Objective

Klotho is an aging-modulating protein expressed mainly in the kidneys and choroid plexus, which can also be shed, released into the circulation and act as a hormone. Klotho deficient mice are smaller compared to their wild-type counterparts and their somatotropes show marked atrophy and reduced number of secretory granules. Recent data also indicated an association between klotho levels and growth hormone (GH) levels in acromegaly. We aimed to study the association between klotho levels and GH deficiency (GHD) in children with growth impairment.

Design

Prospective study comprising 99 children and adolescents (aged 9.0±3.7 years, 49 male) undergoing GH stimulation tests for short stature (height-SDS = −2.1±0.6). Klotho serum levels were measured using an α-klotho ELISA kit.

Results

Klotho levels were significantly lower (p<0.001) among children with organic GHD (n = 11, 727±273 pg/ml) compared to both GH sufficient participants (n = 59, 1497±754 pg/ml) and those with idiopathic GHD (n = 29, 1645±778 pg/ml). The difference between GHS children and children with idiopathic GHD was not significant. Klotho levels positively correlated with IGF-1- standard deviation scores (SDS) (R = 0.45, p<0.001), but were not associated with gender, pubertal status, age or anthropometric measurements.

Conclusions

We have shown, for the first time, an association between low serum klotho levels and organic GHD. If validated by additional studies, serum klotho may serve as novel biomarker of organic GHD.     

猪线粒体DNA多态性与中国地方猪种起源分化的关系

用24种限制性内切酶分析了我国21个具代表性地方猪品种、1个引进品种和2个来自中国和越南的野生近缘种mtDNA的RFLP。结果表明:在74个个体中检出的32种限制性态型可归结成7种单倍型,其间的差异主要来源于少数几个限制性位点的点突变;地方猪种4种单倍型间的平均遗传距离为0.143％,遗传多态程度(π值)仅为0.007％,说明遗传多样性非常贫乏,提示中国地方猪种可能起源于一个野猪亚种。     

CRP、PTH、Alb及Hb水平变化与尿毒症周围神经病变程度的相关性

摘要 目的：探讨C反应蛋白（CRP）、甲状旁腺素（PTH）、血清白蛋白（Alb）及血红蛋白（Hb）水平变化与尿毒症周围神经病变程度的相关性。方法：选取我院2019年4月到2022年4月收治的340例需要进行维持性血液透析治疗的尿毒症患者作为研究对象,依照是否存在周围型神经病变的情况分为非神经病变组（n=132）和神经病变组（n=208）。对比两组患者的临床相关资料,CRP、PTH、Alb及Hb水平变化,其他血清指标变化,并分析CRP、PTH、Alb及Hb水平变化与尿毒症周围神经病变程度的相关性。结果：两组患者高血压患病人数对比无差异（P＞0.05）,两组患者的糖尿病患病人数、血液透析频率以及血液透析时间对比差异显著（P<0.05）;神经病变组患者的CRP、PTH水平明显高于非神经病编组（P＜0.05）,神经病变组患者的Alb、Hb水平明显低于非神经病变组（P＜0.05）;两组患者血浆胆固醇（CHO）、红细胞（RBC）、三酰甘油（TG）、血肌酐（SCr）水平对比无显著差异（P＞0.05）,神经病变组患者血清前白蛋白（PA）、二氧化碳结合力（CO2CP）水平低于非神经病变组,神经病变组患者血清BUN、FBG水平高于非神经病变组（P＜0.05）;Spearman相关分析结果显示：CRP、PTH与尿毒症周围神经病变程度呈正相关（P＜0.05）,Alb、Hb与尿毒症周围神经病变程度呈负相关（P＜0.05）。结论：CRP、PTH、Alb及Hb水平变化与尿毒症周围神经病变程度具有明显关系,可以用于判断尿毒症患者的周围神经病变程度。而且尿毒症周围神经病变患者多数原发疾病为糖尿病,血液透析频率较低,维持血液透析时间较长。     

Dynamics of Blood Serum Levels of Follicle-Stimulating Hormone, Luteinizing Hormone, Prolactin, Estradiol, and Progesterone in Right- and Left-Handed Women

The dynamics of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) luteinizing hormone (LH), prolactin (PRL), estradiol (E₂), and progesterone were studied in left- and right-handed women having a stable 28-day menstrual cycle. The hormones were determined by enzyme immunoassays on days 3, 8, 10, 13, 16, 22, 26, and 28 of the menstrual cycle. The data showed that bllod serum levels of FSH, LH, PRL, and E₂are higher in left-handed in comparison to right-handed women (p< 0.001). On days 10 through 28 of the cycle, the level of progesterone is also higher in left-handed women (p< 0.001). The dynamic of these hormones in left-handed and right-handed women appeared to remain within the normal limits. These findings indicate that the handedness correlates with the dynamucs of serum levels of these hormones. Higher serum levels of hormones in left-handed women suggests that they have higher levels of the functional activity of the hypophysis–ovarian axis and prolactin axis.     

Relationship Between Soil Lead Levels and Blood Lead Levels Among Children Living Near a Lead Smelter in Jamaica

Abstract

A survey was conducted to determine the distribution and determinants of environmental and blood lead levels near a conventional and several cottage lead smelters and to assess the relationship between environmental and blood lead levels in a tropical, developing-country setting. Fifty-eight households were studied in the Red Pond community, the site of the established smelter and several backyard smelters, and 21 households were studied in the adjacent, upwind Ebony Vale community in Saint Catherine Parish, Jamaica. Elevated levels of lead in soil and housedust and elevated blood lead levels in children were largely confined to the Red Pond community. In that community, soil lead was the strongest predictor of PbB among Red Pond subjects under 12 years of age. The blood lead—soil lead relationship in children differed from that reported in developed countries; blood lead levels were higher than expected for the household- specific soil lead levels that were observed.     

EB病毒潜伏膜蛋白1多态性与鼻咽癌的关系

为了分析广东地区鼻咽癌病人和非鼻咽癌病人携带的Epstein-Barr病毒（EBV）潜伏膜蛋白1（LMP1）基因多态性,探讨LMP1基因羧基端缺失30个碱基的EBV是否与华南地区鼻咽癌高发有关。为此收集了初始的107例鼻咽癌病人和106例非鼻咽癌肿病人的漱口液,用巢式PCR扩增LMP1羧基端,观察缺失型LMP1的构成比。同时,测序分析缺失型LMP1编码区序列,了解缺失型LMP1多态性与鼻咽癌的关联度。结果：在50％的样品中可检出LMP1基因,缺失型LMP1在鼻咽癌病人和非鼻咽病人的构成比相似,约占70？％,原型和缺失型LMP1混合感染少见（0－6％）。另外,广州地区的缺失型LMP序列与上海、台湾、香港地区的缺失型LMP1基因高度同源,鼻咽癌病人是和非鼻咽癌病人携带的缺失型LMP1基因序列基本相同。此结果表明,广州地区流行的LMP1羧基端缺失30个碱基的EBV株,漱口液中检测出的缺失型与原型LMP1构成比约为7：3,在鼻咽癌病人和非鼻咽癌病人此分布情况相似。