Biomedical subjects

B Wen

Publications and source records attributed to B Wen.

36 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

PubMed1997

[Rapid bioluminescence method for pathogen detection of nephropyelitis patient].

ATP is a kind of necessary metabolites in the living cells. We detected ATP contents in 222 bacteriuria or the urine germ by bioluminescence method. The results showed that the patient had been infected when the mean value was > 130.9 +/- 11.38 and had not when the mean value was < 32.9 +/- 2.26. The results were the same with the Gram Stain, L-form bacteriuria culture and the common bacteriuria culture. The mean values of positive specimens are higher than that of the negative specimens by the bioluminescence. Thus, it is indicated that the bioluminescence method has high sensitivity. This method can be used to detect L-form bacteriuria in the urine germ quickly and is important for early diagnosis by the doctors.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

PubMed1996

Identification and cDNA cloning of a novel human mosaic protein, LGN, based on interaction with G alpha i2.

We have used the yeast two-hybrid system to identify proteins that interact with the alpha-subunit of the heterotrimeric GTP-binding protein, Gi2. We screened a human B cell cDNA library with full-length G alpha i2 and isolated four positive colonies, one of which expressed the 44-kDa COOH terminus of a previously unrecognized 677-amino acid (aa) protein. A full-length clone was isolated from a HeLa cell cDNA library. The deduced protein contains 10 Leu-Gly-Asn repeats, and thus we named it LGN. Computer analysis indicates that LGN is a mosaic protein with seven repeated sequences of about 40 aa in length at its N-terminal end, and four repeated sequences of about 34 aa at its C-terminal end. Each of the two repeat regions shows substantial similarity to proteins found in other organisms. RT-PCR analysis of human tissues showed that the mRNA of LGN was ubiquitously expressed. The specificity of interaction between G alpha i2 and LGN was confirmed by an in vitro binding assay using recombinant proteins. These data indicate that the yeast two-hybrid system can identify novel proteins, such as LGN, that interact with G alpha proteins. As a mosaic protein, LGN shows similarity with portions of proteins from many species and thus may define a new protein family.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed1996

Evaluation of plant availability of soil trace metals by chemical fractionation and multiple regression analysis.

Soil samples with a range of chemical and physical properties were collected from 10 different rural regions of China. Trace metals (Ni, Co, Cu, and Pb) in the soils were partitioned by a sequential extraction procedure into Mg(NO(3))(2) extractable (F1), CH(3)COONa extractable (F2), NH(2)OH.HCl extractable (F3), HNO(3)?H(2)O(2) extractable (F4), and residual (F5) fractions. Chemical fractionation showed that F1 fraction of the metals was less than 1% and residue was the dominant form for Cu and Ni in all samples, and for Co in most of the samples. Significant interrelationships of the fractions varied considerably with the different metals. Winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) had been grown on the soils in a pot-culture experiment under greenhouse conditions for 40 days. Metal availability to the plants was evaluated by simple and multiple regression analysis. The Mg(NO(3))(2) extractable Co (F1) was significantly correlated with Co concentrations in different parts of wheat and in the whole of alfalfa. For the other metals, the independent variables of the multiple regression models, chosen by stepwise selection, were given as: F1 and F2 + F3 + F4 for Ni; F1, F2 + F3 and F4 for Cu; and F3 + F4 for Pb. The results of this study demonstrate that the sequential extraction procedure, in conjunction with multiple regression models using a combination of correlated fractions as an independent variable, may be useful for the prediction of plant absorption of trace metals in soils.

Journal Article↗

PubMed1996

Characterization of the SF agent, an Ehrlichia sp. isolated from the fluke Stellantchasmus falcatus, by 16S rRNA base sequence, serological, and morphological analyses.

The organism designated the SF agent was originally isolated in Japan in 1962 from Stellantchasmus falcatus metacercaria parasitic on gray mullet fish. The SF agent resembles members of the genus Ehrlichia morphologically and exhibits weak antigenic cross-reactivity with Ehrlichia sennetsu. This organism causes mild clinical signs in dogs, but severe splenomegaly and lymphadenopathy in mice. This suggests that the SF agent may be similar to either Neorickettsia helminthoeca, an intracellular parasite of a fluke and the cause of salmon poisoning disease in dogs, or E. sennetsu, the causative agent of human sennetsu ehrlichiosis in Japan and Malaysia. In order to determine the phylogenetic relationship between the SF agent and other ehrlichial species, the 16S rRNA gene was amplified by the PCR and sequenced. The SF agent sequence was most closely related to the sequences of Ehrlichia risticii (level of sequence similarity, 99.1%), the causative agent of Potomac horse fever, and E. sennetsu (level of sequence similarity, 98.7%). The next most similar sequence was that of N. helminthoeca, but the level of sequence similarity was only 93.7%. E. sennetsu, E. risticii, the SF agent, and N. helminthoeca formed a distinct cluster that was separated from all other ehrlichial species. As determined by immunofluorescence labeling, antiserum against the SF agent cross-reacted strongly with E. sennetsu, E. risticii, and N. helminthoeca. When three genetically distinct ehrlichial isolates obtained from horses with Potomac horse fever were compared with the SF agent, we found that the SF agent was most closely related to Ohio isolate 081, followed by IllinoisT (T = type strain) and a Kentucky isolate. We observed strong antigenic cross-reactivities and similarities in Western blot (immunoblot) reaction profiles when we compared the SF agent, E. risticii, and E. sennetsu; however, weaker antigenic cross-reactivity was observed when the SF agent and N. helminthoeca were compared. Our results indicate that the SF agent is antigenically more closely related to E. risticii and E. sennetsu than to N. helminthoeca. The biological and antigenic characteristics and the 16S rRNA sequence data suggest that the SF agent is a new species that belongs to the genus Ehrlichia.

Animals↗

PubMed1996

Ehrlichia canis-like agent isolated from a man in Venezuela: antigenic and genetic characterization.

We report the first isolation and molecular and antigenic characterization of a human ehrlichial species in South America. A retrospective study was performed with serum specimens from 6 children with clinical signs suggestive of human ehrlichiosis and 43 apparently healthy adults who had a close contact with dogs exhibiting clinical signs compatible with canine ehrlichiosis. The evaluation was performed by the indirect fluorescent-antibody assay with Ehrlichia chaffeensis Arkansas, Ehrlichia canis Oklahoma, and Ehrlichia muris antigens. The sera from two apparently healthy humans were positive by the indirect fluorescent-antibody assay for all three antigens. Of the three antigens, samples from humans 1 and 2 showed the highest antibody titers against E. chaffeensis and E. muris, respectively. The remaining serum samples were negative for all three antigens. One year later examination of a blood sample from subject 1 revealed morulae morphologically resembling either E. canis, E. chaffeensis, or E. muris in monocytes in the blood smear. The microorganism, referred to here as Venezuelan human ehrlichia (VHE), was isolated from the blood of this person at 4 days after coculturing isolated blood leukocytes with a dog macrophage cell line (DH82). The organism was also isolated from mice 10 days after intraperitoneal inoculation of blood leukocytes from subject 1. Analysis by electron microscopy showed that the human isolate was ultrastructurally similar to E. canis, E. chaffeensis, and E. muris. When the virulence of VHE in mice was compared with those of E. chaffeensis, E. canis, and E. muris, only VHE and E. muris induced clinical signs in BALB/c mice at 4 and 10 days, respectively, after intraperitoneal inoculation. VHE was reisolated from peritoneal exudate cells of the mice. Only E. chaffeensis- and E. muris-infected mice developed significant splenomegaly. Western immunoblot analysis showed that serum from subject 1 reacted with major proteins of the VHE antigen of 110, 80, 76, 58, 43, 35, and 34 kDa. Human serum against E. chaffeensis reacted strongly with 58-, 54-, 52-, and 40-kDa proteins of the VHE antigen. Anti-E. canis dog serum reacted strongly with 26- and 24-kDa proteins of VHE. In contrast, anti-E. sennetsu rabbit and anti-E. muris mouse sera did not react with the VHE antigen. Serum from subject 1 reacted with major proteins of 90, 64, or 47 kDa of the E. chaffeensis, E. canis, and E. muris antigens. This reaction pattern suggests that this serum sample was similar to serum samples from E. chaffeensis-infected human patients in Oklahoma. The base sequence of the 16S rRNA gene of VHE was most closely related to that of E. canis Oklahoma. On the basis of these observations, we suggest that VHE is a new strain or a subspecies of E. canis which may cause asymptomatic persistent infection in humans.

Adult↗

PubMed1995

Ehrlichia muris sp. nov., identified on the basis of 16S rRNA base sequences and serological, morphological, and biological characteristics.

The 16S rRNA gene of a new infectious agent, strain AS145T (T = type strain), which was isolated from a wild mouse in Japan, was amplified by using the PCR. The amplimers were directly sequenced by dideoxynucleotide methods with Taq DNA polymerase. Sequence comparisons with other members of the tribe Ehrlichieae and related species revealed that the infectious agent isolated from the mouse is a new species of the genus Ehrlichia that is most closely related to Ehrlichia chaffeensis (level of sequence similarity, 97.9%), an agent of human ehrlichiosis in the United States. This result was consistent with the results of an immunoblot analysis performed with immune sera against different ehrlichiosis agents. On the basis of these findings and other morphological, biological, and serological characteristics of the organism, we propose that ehrlichiae with these properties belong to a new species, Ehrlichia muris.

Anaplasmataceae↗

PubMed1995

Diversity of 16S rRNA genes of new Ehrlichia strains isolated from horses with clinical signs of Potomac horse fever.

Ehrlichia risticii is the causative agent of Potomac horse fever. Variations among the major antigens of different local E. risticii strains have been detected previously. To further assess genetic variability in this species or species complex, the sequences of the 16S rRNA genes of several isolates obtained from sick horses diagnosed as having Potomac horse fever were determined. The sequences of six isolates obtained from Ohio and three isolates obtained from Kentucky were amplified by PCR. Three groups of sequences were identified. The sequences of five of the Ohio isolates were identical to the sequence of the type strain of E. risticii, the Illinois strain. The sequence of one Ohio isolate, isolate 081, was unique; this sequence differed in 10 nucleotides from the sequence of the type strain (level of similarity, 99.3%). The sequences of the three Kentucky isolates were identical to each other, but differed by five bases from the sequence of the type strain (level of similarity, 99.6%). The levels of sequence similarity of isolate 081, the Kentucky isolates, and the type strain to the next most closely related Ehrlichia sp., Ehrlichia sennetsu, were 99.3, 99.2, and 99.2%, respectively. On the basis of the distinct antigenic profiles and the levels of 16S rRNA sequence divergence, isolate 081 is as divergent from the type strain of E. risticii as E. sennetsu is. Therefore, we suggest that strain 081 and the Kentucky isolates may represent two new distinct Ehrlichia species.

Animals↗

PubMed1992

[A study on the relationship between pathologic morphology and clinical prognosis of renal cell carcinoma].

One hundred and six cases of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) were studied with an objective to investigate the effects of clinical stages, histological patterns (grading), cell types, nuclear grading and tumor sizes on the postoperative survival time of the patients. The results showed that there were no statistical differences in the postoperative survival time among different histological patterns and among different cellular types, such as clear cell, granular cell and mixed cell. But those with either diffuse sarcomatoid pattern or undifferentiated cell type had poor prognosis. The patients with tumor size greater than 10 cm in diameter had poor prognosis. The prognosis-deciding factors for RCC patients were the clinical staging and nuclear grading. We suggest that the nuclear grading of RCC be noted in every pathological report, so as to provide reference for clinical evaluation of the prognosis and further treatment.

Carcinoma, Renal Cell↗

PubMed1992

[Comparison of ultrastructural and immunohistochemical studies on renal cell carcinoma and human embryo kidney].

26 cases of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) were studied by both light microscopy and electron microscopy, accompanied with 9 cases of human embryo kidney as control. 20 cases of RCC in different degree of cell differentiation, 4 cases of human embryo kidney and 1 case of adult human kidney were studied with immunohistochemical methods. The results indicated that the histostructures and antigen expression of RCC were rather complicated and the ultrastructures and antigen expression changes of RCC seemed very similar to those of the developing embryonic kidneys. This indicated, that RCC might have originated from nephroblastoma cells.

Carcinoma, Renal Cell↗

PubMed1992

[Preliminary observation of imaging of facial temperature along meridians].

Visualization of meridians has been carried out by means of infrared thermography and radionuclide scintigraphy, but real success was hardly achieved on some special regions including facial channels. In this paper, we would represent some imagings of thermal line along channels by means of infrared thermography. Distribution of the facial temperature in 139 cases of healthy volunteers and 305 cases of patients with facial paralysis was observed with model AGA-782 infrared thermovision and TC-800 computer. In all cases of patients and 15 cases of healthy persons, acupuncture test was conducted. Special program, DISCO3.1 was used to process the thermographic data and the results were as follows: 1. Facial thermal line along channel was presented in 95 out of 444 cases. High temperature line along bladder channel appeared in 34 cases of them; 2. In 26 out of 95 cases, the thermal line appeared after acupuncture, which could improve the imaging of the line; 3. The range of the temperature was within 1.3 degrees C, in some cases only 0.2-0.3 degrees C, with +/- 0.5-1.0 degrees C difference to surrounding temperature; the width of the line was 1-1.5 cm in most cases; 4. The line could appear stably, in some cases, last for several days, weeks or months; 5. Certain relationship between the appearing of the line and facial paralysis was found. As mentioned above, the thermal characteristics of meridians in face could be visualized by means of infrared thermography, the special imaging of facial temperature along bladder meridian was easily found, related to facial troubles and promoted by acupuncture.

Acupuncture Therapy↗

PubMed1991

Clinical observations on acupuncture treatment of peripheral facial paralysis aided by infra-red thermography--a preliminary report.

We have carried out clinical observations on 34 patients with peripheral facial paralysis treated by acupuncture therapy prescribed according to selection of treatment regimen on the basis of facial thermogram and temperature. A comparison was made with a control group of 97 patients who received conventional acupuncture therapy only. It was found that 1) The cure rate in the group of selecting acupoints by thermogram (hereinafter referred to as the thermography--aided treatment group) was 67.65%, with a marked improvement rate of 26.40%; while the cure rate of the conventional acupuncture treatment group (hereinafter called the conventional treatment group) was 46.39%, the marked improvement rate being 29.90%, indicating a significant difference in therapeutic efficacy between the two groups (P less than 0.02). 2) The average duration of acupuncture therapy for the thermography aided treatment group was 6.02 weeks, whereas that for the conventional treatment group, 24 weeks. There was also a significant difference between the two groups (P less than 0.01). And 3) During the entire therapeutic course, 25.2 sessions of treatment were given on the average in the thermography--aided treatment group, and 78.8 sessions in the conventional treatment group, showing a very significant difference (P less than 0.001). The present thermography--aided method exhibits advantages over the conventional one in enhancing the cure rate and shortening the duration of treatment, which is worthy to be popularized in clinical practice. And it is also of certain significance in standardization and scientification of acupuncture therapy.

Acupuncture Points↗

PubMed1991

[Observation on clinical features and therapy in 4 elderly cases with legionellosis].

Four elderly cases with Legionellosis were reported. All of them had pneumonitis and small amount of chest fluid. Erythromycin and rifadin were effective in all 4 patients. Three patients were positive for Legionella pneumophila serogroup 1. The disease occurred in July or October. Diagnosis and therapy should be made as early as possible for those patients suspected of Legionellosis.

Aged↗

PubMed1991

[The thermographic observation of the relationship between the retention of acupuncture needles and the effect of nose temperatures].

This is an observation of the relationship between the retention of acupuncture needles and its effect on nose temperature in seventy-four patients with facial nerve paralysis. The patients were divided into five groups according to the period of retention of needles: no retention, retention for ten, twenty, thirty and fourty minutes. Every group consisted twenty cases. The results showed that (a) the nose temperature lowered after acupuncture immediately; (b) then it rose and reached to the maximum at twenty minutes after acupuncture, then lowered again; (c) for the group of no retention and retention for ten and twenty minutes, the temperature rose again during thirty to fourty minutes after acupuncture, for the group of retention for thirty or fourty minutes, however, without these phenomena; (d) the general tendency was that the change of temperature was bigger but lasting for shorter period in the groups of retention for longer time than that in the groups of retention for shorter time. These results verified that some theories in ancient books about the retention of acupuncture needles are scientific.

Acupuncture Therapy↗

PubMed1990

[The comparison of changes of the facial temperature after acupuncturing point of hand and foot-yangming meridians by the thermography].

With thermographic technique, We observed changes of the facial temperature after acupuncturing Hegu (L14) and Zusanli (S36) in 65 patients (103 cases in all) with facial nerve paralysis. The observation showed that the average of Hegu group was higher than that of Zusanli group. The result explained that the effect of acupuncture at points of hand-yangming meridian was bigger than that of foot-yangming meridian on the facial temperature.

Acupuncture Points↗

PubMed1990

[Objective display on phenomena of propagated sensation along channels (PSC)--changes on the infrared thermal image channels pathway of upper extremity].

This paper reported the observed results on changes of the infrared thermal image of upper extremity induced by needle "Hega" (LI 4), "Daling" (P 7) and "Neiguan" (P6) points. The results indicated that 10 out of 23 cases whose higher and middle temperature bands of upper extremity distributed along the "Dachang" (Large Intestine) channels, when they felt phenomena of propagated sensation along the "Dachang" channels induced by needle "Hegu" points. Those effects did not appear in the objects who did not feel PSC along the "Dachang" channels induced by needled points. Above results provide an objective basis for the phenomena of channels and suggest that the phenomenon of PSC is an objective fact in human body.

Acupuncture Points↗

PubMed1990

[Objective observation on phenomena of sensation along channels (PSC) and QI reaching to affects area (QIRA)--the influence of acupuncture points on infrared thermal image of face].

Thirty three patients and nine volunteers were observed. 18 out of 33 patients felt PSC and Qi reaching to face induced by needle points. The QiRA rate was 80% in patients with face diseases. During acupuncture "Hegu" (LI 4) points, most of the patients felt PSC reaching to their faces and sensed heat in face. The infrared thermal image demonstrated that the temperature of face skin increase and the hyperthermal areas coincided basically with the pathway of "Yangming" channels. Those effects were more than the effects of the other objects who didn't feel PSC or sensed Qi reaching to face induced by needle "Hegu" (LI 4) or "Daling" (P 7) Points. The difference between the two groups was statistical significant. The temperature rising responses induced by needle points were not the results of natural fluctuation. The above results indicate that the PSC and QiRA is objective existence.

Acupuncture Points↗

PubMed1990

Research on the acupuncture principles and meridian phenomena by means of infrared thermography.

In this study, the observation on acupuncture manner, the specificity of acupoints, maintaining needle and "MiuCi" needling, manual and electrical acupuncture, the thermal characteristics of meridians etc. were carried out in order to apply the thermography in the research of principles of acupuncture and meridian phenomena thus create a way to approach to the mechanism of acupuncture effect. Results showed a good prospect for this technique being widely used in the investigation of acupuncture and meridians and its practical significance. It's also identified that the thermography with the advantages of straight-forward, objective and simple fitted to be used in the research of acupuncture and meridians.

Acupuncture Points↗

PubMed1990

Effects of the heat-tonification method on the surface temperature of the body observed by infra-red thermography.

With the infra-red thermography, 73 tests of the effect of Heat-Tonification maneuvers on body surface temperature were made. The experiments showed that application of Heat-Tonification produced marked elevation of temperature at the site of puncture, over the face and the front of the neck. The differences between pre- and post-needling temperatures were statistically significant (P less than 0.02 and P less than 0.01). Furthermore, 44.8% of the tests showed elevation of temperature over the trunk and extremities, and the distribution of temperature elevation followed the course of the meridians mostly. The findings demonstrated that the Heat-Tonification method mobilized Qi and activated Blood through influence over the vegetative nervous system that led to readjustment of blood circulation.

Acupuncture Therapy↗