To demonstrate the direct effects of cadmium on activities of bone morphogenetic protein (BMP), a complex containing BMP and cadmium chloride (CdCl₂) was implanted beneath the abdominal skin of young male Wistar rats. The activity of BMP was studied by observing the histological changes, and measuring the activity of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and acid phosphatase (ACP) and calcium content of the implants at different time points. Our results showed that during bone formation induced by BMP, cadmium inhibited the activities of osteoblasts and osteoclasts, and slowed the deposition of calcium. It is concluded that cadmium can directly affect biological activities of BMP directly.

The value of ELISA, N-PCR and RT-PCR in clinical practice for pregnant women with HCMV infection was investigated. 5581 pregnant women were screened by ELISA. Among them, 100 cases were positive for IgM (group 1), 69 for both IgM and serous DNA (group 2) and 69 for both IgM and mRNA (group 3). The infectious status, maternal-fetal transmission and pregnancy outcome were monitored. It was demonstrated that the accordance rate of group 3 and group 2 with group 1 was 56.25% and 43.75%, respectively. The maternal-fetal transmission are in the group 1, 2 and 3 was 19.00%, 40.58% and 46.15%, respectively, with a significant difference found between group 2, 3 and group 1 (P<0.01). Incidence of spontaneous abortion, fetal death, fetal abnormality and neonatal death in group 1, 2 and 3 was 10.00%, 15.94% and 30.77%, respectively, and that of group 3, 2 was 4 and 2 times as much as that of group 1, respectively (OR=4. 00,P<0.001; OR=2.343,P<005, respectively). It was concluded that HCMV-IgM(+) can only be considered as an screening indicator for pregnant women with HCMV infection, while IgM(+) combined with serous DNA(+) or mRNA(+) indicates active infection and has a high incidence of maternal-fetal transmission and abnormal pregnancy outcome.

The relationship between the hypertension and the aging process of hearing organ was investigated. Twenty Wistar 3-month old rats and 20 Wistar 12-month old rats, 20 spontaneously hypertensive rat stroke-prone (SHRSP) 3-month old rats and 20 SHRSP 12-month old rats free of middle ear infections as observed under otomicroscopy, with normal tympanic membrane and auricle reflex, were selected to be divided into two experimental groups and two control groups respectively. The tail artery blood pressure was measured non-invasively. The threshold of auditory brain-stem response (ABR) was measured by Spirit^™ evoked potential meter. The LDH and ChE staining in the inner ear was performed and the optical density was analyzed by the HPIAS analysis system. The results showed that there was no difference in the ABR thresholds, the activities of LDH and ChE between Wistar 3-month old group and SHRSP 3-month old group (P>0.05). The mean value of ABR threshold and the activities of LDH and ChE in the Wistar 12-month old group at relevant sections were significantly greater than those in the two 3-month old groups (P<0.05), whereas the mean value of ABR threshold and the activities of LDH and ChE in the SHRSP 12-month old group at relevant sections were significantly higher than those in the 3-month old control group (P<0.01). It was concluded that presbycusis existed in the Wistar 12-month old group rats. The glycogenosis and the abnormal secretion of neural transmitter were discerned after hypertension. All the above factors may worsen the aging of the hearing system.