Diagnosis of Congenital Hypothyroidism from Human Anagen Scalp Hair by Infrared Microspectroscopy

A highly efficient Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) microscopy was used to determine the biophysical structure of anagen scalp hair roots of neonates suffering from congenital hypothyroidism (CH) due to ectopic thyroid. The present results indicate that the lower composition near 1,053 cm- 1 (also assigned to the aromatic iodide stretching band) in the infrared (IR) spectra of the hair roots for CH patients was directly associated with the lower serum level of T 4 and fT 4, and the elevated TSH levels determined by RIA method. This strongly implies the lower evidence of the aromatic iodide stretching band in the IR spectra of hair roots. These findings suggest that FT-IR microscopy has the potential to become a good diagnostic tool and that hair can be useful as a genetic marker.     

Sex,hormones, and stress: How they impact development and function of the carotid bodies and related reflexes

Progesterone and corticosterone are key modulators of the respiratory control system. While progesterone is widely recognized as an important respiratory stimulant in adult and newborn animals, much remains to be described regarding the underlying mechanisms. We review the potential implication of nuclear and membrane progesterone receptors in adults and in newborns. This raises intriguing questions regarding the contribution of progesterone as a protective factor against some respiratory control disorders during early life. We then discuss our current understanding of the central integration of stressful stimuli and the responses they elicit. The fact that this system interacts with the respiratory control system, either because both share some common neural pathways in the brainstem and hypothalamus, or because corticosterone directly modulates the function of the respiratory control network, is a fascinating field of research that has emerged over the past few years. Finally, we review the short- and long-term consequences of disruption of stress circuitry during postnatal development on these systems.     

来氟米特治疗儿童频复发型肾病综合征的临床观察

目的 观察来氟米特对儿童频复发型肾病综合征治疗效果.方法 选择31例频复发型肾病综合征患儿,其中微小病变（MCD） 18例,局灶节段性肾小球硬化（FSGS） 13例,给予来氟米特治疗.结果 来氟米特治疗后,泼尼松隔日应用维持量从（0.58±0.19） mg/kg减少至（0.21±0.25）mg/kg,复发率从平均每年（3.10±0.88）次下降至平均每年（1.00±1.18）次.其中有10例患儿泼尼松停止应用而没出现复发.结论 来氟米特在治疗儿童频复发型肾病综合征方面是有效的.     

What do you need to know about mass spectrometry? A brief guide for endocrinologists

In routine hormonology, liquid chromatography mass spectrometry (LCMS) is now an established technique for androgen, urinary cortisol and metanephrine assay. It has the undeniable advantage of great analytical specificity, but with sensitivity that clearly depends on financial investment in a very high-end spectrometer. We describe the general principles of LCMS and the routine applications so far developed in hormonology. The purpose is to familiarise endocrinologists with the techniques under development and their pros and cons.     

老年男性骨密度的增龄改变与骨代谢有关激素的相关性研究

目的探讨老年男性增龄与骨密度(BMD)及骨代谢有关激素的关系。方法123例老年男性按年龄分成3组,分别测定骨密度及血清甲状旁腺素(PTH)、睾酮(T)、雌二醇(E2)、卵泡刺激素(FSH)、黄体生成素(LH)并进行比较。结果老年男性BMD随增龄而减少,在股骨近端和髋关节处更为明显(P<0.05),在腰椎不确定;老年男性T、E2处于低水平,而FSH、LH及PTH随增龄而增高,FSH更为明显(P<0.05)。结论随着增龄,老年男性MBD下降,T、E2水平低下,而FSH、LH和PTH水平增高。提示体内骨代谢有关激素的变化,可能是老年男性骨质疏松症发病的重要机制之一。     

Effects of artificial eggs on prolactin secretion, steroid levels, brood patch development, incubation onset and clutch size in the yellow-eyed penguin (Megadyptes antipodes)

Several studies have shown that the transition from egg laying to incubation behavior in birds is associated with changes in plasma levels of prolactin and steroid hormones. However, any effect of the tactile and visual input provided by eggs at initiating these hormonal changes has not been fully investigated in wild birds. A few days before yellow-eyed penguins, Megadyptes antipodes, started egg laying, we placed an artificial egg into their nests or under cages next to their nest. We then investigated the effect of the tactile and/or visual stimulus of such an artificial egg on prolactin secretion, steroid hormone levels (total androgen, estradiol and progesterone), brood patch development, incubation onset and clutch size in these penguins. Prolactin levels rose in females in response to having an artificial egg in the nest, while they declined considerably in males. Total androgen concentrations in males were less than 7% of those of control males and the levels prior to egg placement. Brood patch width increased in both males and females. Additionally, an egg in the nest caused yellow-eyed penguin pairs to attend and sit prone on their nest more frequently. Females that initiated egg laying 1 or 2 days after placement of the artificial egg in the nest, laid a full clutch of two eggs, while most other females that were exposed to an artificial egg in their nest, laid only a single egg. In contrast, the visual stimulus of an artificial egg alone (that was placed under a cage) did not influence hormone levels, brood patch development, incubation behavior or clutch size. The stimulation of an egg in the nest influences prolactin and total androgen levels in yellow-eyed penguins, particularly in males. While brood patch development and incubation behavior were initiated and egg laying was terminated in response to an artificial egg in the nest, the exact endocrine mechanisms underlying these physiological and behavioral changes remain poorly understood. We encourage further studies on other bird species taking an experimental approach to investigate the direct influence of hormones in initiating brood patch development and incubation behavior. Moreover, such experimental studies will widen our understanding of the endocrine mechanisms that regulate clutch size.     

(Neuro-)endocrinology of epithelial hair follicle stem cells

The hair follicle is a repository of different types of somatic stem cells. However, even though the hair follicle is both a prominent target organ and a potent, non-classical site of production and/or metabolism of numerous polypetide- and steroid hormones, neuropeptides, neurotransmitters and neurotrophins, the (neuro-)endocrine controls of hair follicle epithelial stem cell (HFeSC) biology remain to be systematically explored. Focussing on HFeSCs, we attempt here to offer a "roadmap through terra incognita" by listing key open questions, by exploring endocrinologically relevant HFeSC gene profiling and mouse genomics data, and by sketching several clinically relevant pathways via which systemic and/or locally generated (neuro-)endocrine signals might impact on HFeSC. Exemplarily, we discuss, e.g. the potential roles of glucocorticoid and vitamin D receptors, the hairless gene product, thymic hormones, bone morphogenic proteins (BMPs) and their antagonists, and Skg-3 in HFeSC biology. Furthermore, we elaborate on the potential role of nerve growth factor (NGF) and substance P-dependent neurogenic inflammation in HFeSC damage, and explore how neuroendocrine signals may influence the balance between maintenance and destruction of hair follicle immune privilege, which protects these stem cells and their progeny. These considerations call for a concerted research effort to dissect the (neuro-)endocrinology of HFeSCs much more systematically than before.     

再血管化治疗对急性心肌梗死患者血浆激素水平和心功能的影响

目的:评价再血管化治疗对急性心肌梗死(AMI)患者神经内分泌激素水平及心功能的影响.方法:将68例AMI患者按是否行再血管化治疗分为急诊冠状动脉介入治疗(PCI)组20例,延迟PCI组26例,未行再血管化治疗的对照组22例,3组患者基础临床特征无统计学差异.于心肌梗死急性期和心肌梗死术后6个月分别采血检测血浆肾素活性(PRA)、血管紧张素Ⅱ(AngⅡ)浓度、血浆醛固酮(Ald)浓度、血浆去甲肾上腺素(NE)和肾上腺素(E)浓度,并测定左心室室壁运动指数(WMI)、左心室射血分数(LVEF)、左心室舒张末期容积指数(LVEDVI)和收缩末期容积指数(LVESVI)变化.结果:①无论急诊PCI组还是延迟PCI组,血浆肾素活性、血管紧张素Ⅱ、血浆醛固酮等激素水平术后6个月均有明显下降,而未行再血管化手术治疗的对照组激素水平无显著变化.②在急诊PCI组和延迟PCI组术后6个月与急性期比较左心室射血分数增加,左心室室壁运动指数减小;延迟PCI组术后6个月时的左心室收缩末期容积指数较急性期减小;急诊PCI组和延迟PCI组6个月的左心室收缩末期容积指数和室壁运动指数明显小于对照组,均有显著性差异(P＜0.05).结论:无论急诊PCI还是延迟PCI均可以降低心肌梗死后神经内分泌激素的过度激活,减缓左心室重塑,改善心功能.