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Biomedical subjects

B Chen

Publications and source records attributed to B Chen.

At least 253 records · Page 14Linked to original sources
PubMed1999

Treatment of complications due to peritoneal dialysis for chronic renal failure with traditional Chinese medicine.

In this paper, the experience in the treatment of complications due to continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis for chronic renal failure with traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is reported. Modified Renshen Yangrong Tang (Ginseng Nutrition Decoction) was used for anorexia and hypoproteinemia; modified Xiangsha Liujunzi Tang (Decoction of Cyperus and Amomum with Six Noble Ingredients) for abdominal pain and distension; modified Da Chaihu Tang (Major Bupleurum Decoction) for peritonitis; modified Shenling Baizhu San (Powder of Ginseng, Poria and Atractylodes) for diarrhea due to insufficiency of the spleen with abundance of dampness; Lizhong Tang (Decoction for Regulating the Function of Middle-jiao) and modified Sishen Wan (Pills of Four Miraculous Drugs) for insufficiency of both the spleen and the kidney; Siwu Tang (Decoction of Four Ingredients) added with other drugs for cutaneous pruritus, and Guishao Sijunzi Tang (Decoction of Four Noble Drugs added with Chinese Angelica Root and white Peony Root) for renal anemia. The therapeutic principles of invigorating the liver and kidney, strengthening the bones and muscles, and promoting blood circulation to eliminate blood stasis were adopted in the treatment of renal osteopathy, and the therapeutic principles of invigorating the liver and kidney, expelling phlegm and resolving dampness, and promoting blood circulation to eliminate blood stasis in the treatment of hyperlipemia. Shen Tekang capsules (capsules for improving the renal function) was administered to patients for strengthening the viability and improving the nutrition state, and the recipe for treating renal function failure (both formulated by the authors) for improving the renal function so as to decrease the frequency and duration of dialysis.

Anorexia↗
PubMed1999

In vitro diagnostics in diabetes: meeting the challenge.

Diabetes is one of the leading causes of death and disability in the world. There is a large population in the world suffering from this disease, and the healthcare costs increase every year. It is a chronic disorder resulting from insulin deficiency and hyperglycemia and has a high risk of development of complications for the eyes, kidneys, peripheral nerves, heart, and blood vessels. Quick diagnosis and early prevention are critical for the control of the disease status. Traditional biosensors such as glucose meters and glycohemoglobin test kits are widely used in vitro for this purpose because they are the two major indicators directly involved in diabetes diagnosis and long-term management. The market size and huge demand for these tests make it a model disease to develop new approaches to biosensors. In this review, we briefly summarize the principles of biosensors, the current commercial devices available for glucose and glycohemoglobin measurements, and the recent work in the area of artificial receptors and the potential for the development of new devices for diabetes specifically connected with in vitro monitoring of glucose and glycohemoglobin HbA(1c).

Biosensing Techniques↗
PubMed1999

[Mapping the gene responsible for Smith-Fineman-Myers syndrome to Xq25].

OBJECTIVE: To map and eventually identify the gene responsible for Smith-Fineman-Myers syndrome. METHODS: The short tandem repeat markers(STRs) distributed on X chromosome at 8-10cM interval were used in the initial mapping to look for the candidate region for Smith-Fineman-Myers syndrome locus and the linked marker. The additional STRs flanking the linked marker were tested to confirm the candidate region and decide the interval of disease gene. RESULTS: Thirteen DNA samples from a Chinese family with Smith-Fineman-Myers syndrome were genotyped using 20 polymorphic STRs which cover the whole X chromosome. Of 20 STRs, DXS1001 on Xq25 suggested linkage and yielded a lod score of 3.01 at straight theta = 0 additional STRs flanking DXS1001 were tested. Fourteen polymorphic STRs out of 27 confirmed that Smith-Fineman-Myers syndrome locus is linked to several markers on Xq25. Haplotype analysis placed the disease locus within a 14.6cM interval bounded by DXS8064 and DXS8050. CONCLUSION: The gene responsible for Smith-Fineman-Myers syndrome is mapped to a 14.6cM interval between DXS8064 and DXS8050 on Xq25. This result will be helpful for the identification of disease gene.

Abnormalities, Multiple↗
PubMed1999

Studies of the lethargic (lh/lh) mouse model of absence seizures: regulatory mechanisms and identification of the lh gene.

To understand the cellular and molecular mechanisms that underlie generalized absence seizures sufficiently well to design rational, efficacious new therapies for patients, it is necessary to turn to animal models to gain insights into these mechanisms. The lethargic (lh/lh) mutant mouse expresses spontaneous absence seizures that share behavioral, electrographic, and anticonvulsant profiles with absence seizures in patients. This validates its use to study the mechanisms that underlie absence seizures. This chapter discusses two scientific approaches that involve the use of lh/lh mice. The first part of the chapter discusses neurobiologic approaches used to investigate critical mechanisms that regulate the synchronized burst firing within the thalamocortical network that generates absence seizures. Two of these critical mechanisms have been studied in detail with lh/lh mice. The first critical mechanism involves the required activation of gamma-aminobutyric acid B (GABAB) receptors to generate absence seizures. Because the numbers of GABAB receptors are increased in thalamocortical populations among lh/lh mice compared with littermates without epilepsy, these receptors appear to play a pathophysiologic role in the expression of absence seizures among lh/lh mice. Moreover, there may be a role for GABAB receptors in the generation of absence seizures among humans, because administration of compounds that activate GABAB receptors can produce absence seizures among humans. These findings suggest that GABAB receptor antagonists may represent a new class of antiabsence compounds that will be efficacious against absence seizures among patients. A second critical mechanism that regulates generation of absence seizures involves GABAA receptors in the nucleus reticularis thalami (NRT), a nucleus that sends GABA-ergic afferents to thalamic relay nuclei. Activation of GABAA receptors in the NRT appears to suppress the generation of absence seizures among lh/lh mice and in other models. Moreover, clonazepam may exert its antiabsence actions through this mechanism. Together, these findings suggest that compounds that selectively activate GABAA receptor isoforms expressed in NRT may represent a class of antiabsence drugs that could have fewer side effects than compounds currently used to treat patients. The second part of the chapter discusses a molecular genetic approach to delineation of the mechanisms that underlie absence seizures. Absence seizures among lh/lh mice are caused by a single-gene defect on chromosome 2. If positional cloning and gene isolation techniques are successful, it will be possible to identify the lh disease gene. Subsequent studies of the lh gene product should greatly increase not only our understanding of the pathophysiologic basis for absence seizures among lh/lh mice but also our ability to seek similar mutations in homologous genes in human families that express absence seizures. Accordingly, strategies and progress in cloning and identifying the lh disease gene are presented.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

Antitumor effect of vaccinia virus in glioma model.

The ability of certain viruses to lyse cancer cells suggests that they may have potential as oncolytic agents. We investigated the effect of vaccinia virus (VV) and its recombinant derivatives (recVV2, rVV-p53) on growth of C6 rat glioma cells that form fast growing tumors in athymic nude mice. VV effectively infected C6 cells in vitro, inducing high level of foreign gene expression. Most of C6 cells infected in vitro with rVV-p53 expressing the tumor suppressor p53 protein showed apoptosis specific morphological changes in DAPI-stained nuclei and DNA fragmentation pattern on gel electrophoresis; infection with VV induced low level of cell apoptosis. In an ex vivo experiment, VV-infected C6 cells were implanted s.c. in athymic nude mice and tumor development was monitored. In contrast to the control PBS group, most of mice implanted with infected cells remained tumor free until the end of the observation period. In an in vivo experiment, injection of VV or rVV-p53 after the C6 cells had been implanted in nude mice induced effective inhibition of tumor growth in comparison with control PBS groups. The oncolytic effect was greater with rVV-p53, apparently due to overexpressed p53 and p53-mediated cell apoptosis. In study of virus virulence we did not observe disease symptoms in athymic mice infected with a high dose of VV. Experimental results indicate that vaccinia virus itself and vaccinia-mediated delivery of therapeutic genes represent novel potential strategies for tumor therapy.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

CYP2D6 phenotype determines pharmacokinetic variability of propafenone enantiomers in 16 HAN Chinese subjects.

AIM: To determine the role of the CYP2D6 phenotype in the metabolism of propafenone (Pro) enantiomers in 16 HAN Chinese subjects. METHODS: Seven very extensive metabolizers (VEM) and nine intermediate metabolizers (IM) were enrolled from a Chinese population whose phenotype had been previously assessed with a dextromethorphan metabolic phenotyping. The blood samples (0-15 h) were taken after oral administration of a single dose (400 mg) of rac-Pro hydrochloride. Enantiomeric concentrations of propafenone in plasma were measured by a reverse-phase HPLC with precolumn derivatization. RESULTS: S-Pro was less metabolized and had higher plasma concentrations than R-Pro in both CYP2D6 phenotypes. Besides, the T1/2 of R-Pro was longer than that of S-Pro in IM, but not in VEM. However, there were significant differences in the metabolism of Pro enantiomers between VEM and IM. The Cmax and AUC of both isomers in the IM group were higher than those in the VEM group (P < 0.01). The Cl of Pro enantiomers in IM group was only about half of that in VEM group [(67 +/- 17) vs (133 +/- 28) L.h-1 for S-Pro, (90 +/- 24) vs (200 +/- 87) L.h-1 for R-Pro, P < 0.01]. The S/R ratios of T1/2, Tmax, Cmax, Cl, and AUC were not significantly different (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: CYP2D6 phenotype determines the pharmacokinetic variability of propafenone enantiomers and existence of IM may be relevant to diminished capacity of CYP2D6 enzyme in Chinese subjects.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

[Outsourcing. Advantages and disadvantages of these processes with regard to the management from the view of the technical services in a hospital].

Cost effectiveness and improvement of service quality are the main reasons for outsourcing in hospitals. Long term relationships and customer satisfaction confirm the concept of providing complex services from external specialized companies. There is no standard guideline to determine whether outsourcing should be preferred to inhouse service. Outsourcing is not a guarantee for improved service and a lot of promoted advantages could theoretically also be provided by inhouse service departments. But the effectiveness of inhouse services has to be proven in comparison and competition to external providers. The often named disadvantages of outsourcing have to be considered. Nevertheless they are also not only subject to outsourcing and can also be a problem in inhouse organisations. Furthermore a proper controlling is an important tool to eliminate most of the difficulties in outsourcing projects. In the competition between internal and external service providers concepts of service partnerships that integrate internal and external resources will be the successful ones in the long run. The main potential for improvement is the optimization of the whole process of maintenance management, instead of the mere reduction of head count.

Hospital Administration↗
PubMed1999

[The origin of calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) in burned skin of rats].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the origin of calcitonin gene related-peptide (CGRP) in skin burn wound. METHODS: Immunohistochemistry technique was used to determine change in distributive density in CGRP-containing nerve fibers in the wound, wound margin, remote intact skin of rats during the first 96 hours postburn. RESULTS: It was shown that the distributive density of CGRP-containing nerve fibers in all areas decreased at 15 min postburn, but the density recovered earlier in wound margins compared to other sites. In addition, CGRP immunoreactive positive cells, which emigrated from blood vessel in dermis underneath the wound and wound margin, were related to CGRP-containing nerve fibers at 12 hours. Stronger staining intensity to CGRP was observed in those cells and they disintegrated and released CGRP immunoreactive materials into the dermis at 24 hours. Thereafter, those cells disappeared. CONCLUSION: CGRP not only is released from cutaneous nerve, but also is synthesized and released by immune cells in response to burns.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

[Experience in the management of severe inhalation injury].

OBJECTIVE: To summarize our clinical experiences in the treatment of severe inhalation injury accompanying extensive burn. METHODS: Retrospective analysis of 30 cases of inhalation injury (1980-1996) was done, the cure rate, mortality, effective treatments and lessons of failure were summarized. RESULTS: As soon as the diagnosis was defined, tracheostomy should be done immediately, followed by oxygen therapy, tracheo-bronchial lavage, aspiration, and clearance of airway secretion. If there was pulmonary edema or severe bronchospasm, cortical hormone was used for a short time, in addition, the patients were encouraged to cough, breathe deeply, and change postures, as well as patted on the back and also positioned to facilitate posture drainage, etc. These measures were effective. In this series, there were thirty cases of severe inhalation injury. Fourteen patients(46.6%) were cured, sixteen patients died(53.3%). The result was basically satisfactory. CONCLUSION: It is possible to increase the cure rate of severe inhalation injury, and the treatment should be carried out conscientiously as early as possible, and great attention should be paid to prevent various complications.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1999

[Effects of PCMV4-hTGF beta 1 as nucleic acid vaccine on II* burn wound healing and postburn scarring in rats].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the gene expression of PCMV4-hTGF beta 1 as nucleic acid vaccine regulation and the effects on burn wound healing and scarring in rats and study the feasibility of gene therapy in burns. METHODS: Sixty wistar rats were divided into three groups: 1. burn + nucleic acid vaccine; 2. nucleic acid vaccine only(control); 3. burn only(control). ELISA was used to determine the dynamic changes in anti-TGF beta 1 neutralizing antibody in serum; determination of the quantities of DNA retained in muscles by Southern blot and in situ hybridization; observation of the ratio in collagen I/III during the wound healing by special stain method. RESULTS: The level of anti-TGF beta 1 antibody in serum reached the peak at the third week after naked DNA was injected, and a slight drop in the 4th week. TGF beta 1 plasmid DNA could be detected 5 minute after injection, and lasted 3 hours. In situ hybridization showed a positive staining in muscle fibers 5 days after injection. During the day 0-day 9, the wound healing speed in vaccine group was faster than control, and after day 10, no significant difference was found between groups, but the ratio of collagen I/III was reduced remarkably in vaccine group. CONCLUSION: Injection of PCMV4-hTGF beta 1 in rats can really cause general immune response reaction. It was showed that PCMV4-hTGF beta 1 was similar to TGF beta 1, and it had the effect of stimulating of epidermic cells to accelerate wound healing at early stage, and at later stage, it was similar to anti-TGF beta 1 neutralizing antibody, having the effect of inhibiting hyperplasia of scar. So it is confirmed that PCMV4-hTGF beta 1 as nucleic acid vaccine has the effect of promoting healing of burn wound and controlling the formation of scar.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

[Experimental study of cultured autologous keratinocyte sheet(Auto-CKS) and allodermis composite skin grafted onto open wound of rats].

OBJECTIVE: Investigate the "take" and histological changes of grafted auto-CKS and allo-dermis composite skin. METHODS: Thirty Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into group auto-CKS and group allo-dermis composite skin. All wounds were dressed after grafting. Wound healing and "take" of grafts were determined for 90 days after grafting. Biopsies of wound tissue including grafts were collected at regular intervals for histological analysis to check the reconstruction of epidermis-dermis junction (EDJ) and fate of allo-dermis of the composite skin. RESULTS: In group auto-CKS, the "take" of grafts was pretty good, but the quality and histological structure of CKS was not good enough, the proliferated collagen fibers were disorderly arranged, and the CKS was too thin to withstand abrasion and tended to worn out and contracted severely. On the other hand, the "take" as well as the quality, histological structure, abrasion resistance and contraction of composite skin in the allo-dermis composite skin group were much better than that of group auto-CKS. Up to 90 days after grafting, the allo-dermis still existed without obvious signs of immuno-rejection. CONCLUSION: The CKS was not suitable for the wound of full thickness skin defect, while the composite skin composed of auto-CKS and treated allo-dermis unfolded the potential encouraging prospects.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

[The changes of calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP)-containing nerve fibers in adrenal gland of burned rats].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the changes in calcitonin gene-related peptide(CGRP) within the adrenal glands medulla and cortex of the rat during early post burn period and the effect of CGRP on function of adrenal gland of burned rats. METHODS: The rats were randomly divided into two groups: control and burned. The distribution density of CGRP containing nerve fibers and cells in medulla of adrenal gland were determined at different timepoints post burn. RESULTS: 1. The CGRP-containing nerve fibers were distributed in capsule, cortex and medulla. CGRP-containing nerve fibers were associated with CGRP immunoreactive cell in medulla of adrenal glands. 2. Distribution density of CGRP-containing nerve fiber was decreased, but distribution density of CGRP-containing cells in medulla increased. CONCLUSION: CGRP may affect function of the adrenal gland of burned rats.

Adrenal Cortex↗
PubMed1999

Structure and function of alleles in the 3' end region of human apoB gene.

OBJECTIVE: To study the structure of alleles in the 3' end of the apoB gene in Han, Mongolian and Tibetan populations in China as well as the roles in the regulation of gene expression. METHODS: DNA were obtained from human leukocytes by phenol-chloroform extraction and ethanol precipitation. PCR were carried out in a 50 microliters volume containing 50 ng genomic DNA as template. The Ssp1-digested products were loaded on a gradient acrylamide gel and run for 3 hours. The constructs containing alleles were tested in cultured HepG2 and HeLa cells using transient assays. RESULTS: Sixteen alleles with different repeat number were characterized. All of the alleles varying from HVE22 to HVE52, allele HVE34 was the most common (58.4%), followed by allele HVE36 (13.8%) and HVE32 (10.5%). 258 PCR products were digested with Ssp1 and run in 4-12% PAGE. We detected the fragments of 266bp, 91 bp, 61 bp and 39 bp in almost all samples. The small alleles (including HVE22, HVE24, HVE26 and HVE36) decreased the expressive activity of the luciferase reporter, in contrary, the large alleles (including HVE44, HVE46 and HVE48) elevated obviously the expressive activity of the luciferase reporter. CONCLUSIONS: More alleles with different number of tandem repeats in 3' end of apoB gene exist in the Chinese populations. The alleles in 3' end minisatellite of human apoB gene could control the expression of the gene itself.

Alleles↗
PubMed1999

[Likelihood ratio and ROC curve in evaluation of iron parameters for diagnosing iron deficiency].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the value of iron parameters in diagnosing iron deficiency (ID). METHODS: Cross-sectional study was performed for diagnostic tests. Ninety consecutive patients with anemia including iron deficiency anemia without chronic diseases (36 cases), chronic diseases (54) were divided into chronic diseases without ID(ACD) (23 cases) and chronic diseases with ID(CDID) (31) by bone marrow iron staining. The exclusion criteria included hemolytic anemia, deficiency of Vitamin B12 or folic acid, blood transfusion, taking iron preparations within one month and hematological malignancies. By using absence of bone marrow iron as gold standard of ID, we compared the diagnostic powers in the diagnosis of iron deficiency for sTfR, serum iron, total iron binding capacity, serum ferritin (SF), transferrin saturation and the presence of hypochromic red cells by analyzing the likelihood ratio, the area under ROC(AUCROC). RESULTS: AUCROC for sTfR in determining ID in groups IDA + CDID vs. ACD, IDA vs. ACD and CDID vs. ACD were 0.9 (95% CI: 0.82-0.98), 0.96(0.9-0.99) and 0.84 (0.72-0.96) respectively, AUCROC for SF in above groups 0.87 (95% CI: 0.77-0.87), 0.94(0.86-0.99) and 0.77(0.63-0.91) respectively. AUCROC for other iron parameters in determining iron deficiency in chronic diseases was lower than 70%. CONCLUSION: ROC and LR are useful tools for evaluating iron parameters in diagnosing iron deficiency. TfR is a best parameter in determining iron deficiency in chronic diseases than SF and other iron parameters.

Anemia, Iron-Deficiency↗
PubMed1999

Effect of burn healing liquid on keratinocyte and fibroblast proliferation and on collagen lattice contraction.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the effect of Burn Healing Liquid (BHL) on the proliferation of keratinocytes and fibroblasts and to explore the potential effect of BHL on fibroblast contraction. METHODS: Human keratinocytes and dermal fibroblasts were cultured in media containing serial dilutions of BHL followed by cell proliferation determination assessed with MTT (3-[4, 5-dimehtylthiazol-2-yl]-2, 5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide) assay at different time intervals. The in vitro collagen lattice contraction model was utilized for determining the contractility of fibroblasts cultured in BHL containing medium. RESULTS: The 1:10(7) dilution of BHL enhanced the growth of both keratinocytes and fibroblasts whereas the 1:10 dilution increased the growth of keratinocytes only. Collagen lattice contraction was inhibited dose-dependently by BHL and such an inhibition could be reversed by switching BHL containing medium to normal medium containing 10% fetal calf serum. CONCLUSION: BHL enhances the growth of both keratinocytes and fibroblasts and reversibly inhibits the fibroblast contraction in collagen lattice.

Burns↗
PubMed1999

[Polymorphisms of apoB gene 3' VNTR alleles and analysis of lipid level in Tibetan population].

OBJECTIVES: To study the distribution and frequency of apoB gene 3' end alleles and try to find if there is any association with the level of plasma lipids. METHODS: PCR and gradient polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis were used to analysize the chromsome DNA and PCR products. RESULTS: Totally 20 alleles were found in the Tibetan group and the distribution of alleles was bimode. The HVE32 and HVE34 were most common, and the frequencies of HVE32 and HVE34 were 0.27 and 0.21 respectively. CONCLUSION: Polymorphism apoB gene resides not only in the variable numbers of the repeat unit, but also in the variation in the oligonucleotide sequence within the repeat units as well as the variation in the arrangement of the repeat units.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1999

[Effect of antral gastritis and cytokines on Helicobacter pylori associated duodenal ulcer].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the role of cytokines and antral gastritis in the development of duodenal ulcer that associated with Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection. METHOD: 48 cases of duodenal ulcer with different degrees of H. pylori infection (35 cases with H. pylori infection and 13 patients without H. pylori infection,) were investigated by measuring the level of gastric mucosal cytokines and the degree of antral gastritis. RESULTS: Compared with H. pylori negative cases, the patients with H. pylori positive duodenal ulcer had higher level of gastric mucosal IL-8, TNF alpha, MPO, MDA and severer antral gastritis. IL-8, TNF alpha, MPO and MDA were positirely correlated with H. pylori density and they were highly correlated with each other. However IL-6 did not have such specific properties. CONCLUSION: Cytokines may be an important factor that links gastritis and duodenal ulcer associated with H. pylori infection.

Adult↗