Biomedical subjects

B Wu

Publications and source records attributed to B Wu.

At least 271 records · Page 15Linked to original sources

PubMed1993

Expression of heat shock protein 70 is altered by age and diet at the level of transcription.

Because heat shock proteins have been shown to play a critical role in protecting cells from hyperthermia and other types of physiological stresses, it was of interest to determine what effect age and caloric restriction have on the ability of cells to regulate the expression of heat shock protein 70 (hsp70), the most prominent and most evolutionarily conserved of the heat shock proteins. Caloric restriction is the only experimental manipulation known to retard aging and increase survival of mammals. The ability of hepatocytes isolated from young/adult (4- to 7-month-old) and old (22- to 28-month-old) male Fischer F344 rats fed ad libitum or a caloric restriction diet (60% of the content of the ad libitum diet) to express hsp70 was determined after a mild heat shock (42.5 degrees C for 30 min). We found that the induction of hsp70 synthesis and mRNA levels by heat shock was 40 to 50% lower in hepatocytes isolated from old rats than in hepatocytes isolated from young rats. Using in situ hybridization, we found that essentially all hepatocytes from the young/adult and old rats expressed hsp70 in response to heat shock; therefore, the age-related decrease in the induction of hsp70 expression was not due to an age-related accumulation of cells that do not respond to heat shock. Measurements of hsp70 mRNA stability and hsp70 transcription demonstrated that the age-related decline in hsp70 expression arose from a decline in hsp70 transcription. Interestingly, the age-related decline in the induction of hsp70 expression was reversed by caloric restriction; e.g., the induction of hsp70 synthesis, mRNA levels, and nuclear transcription were significantly higher in hepatocytes isolated from old rats fed the caloric restricted diet than in hepatocytes isolated from old rats fed ad libitum. The levels of the heat shock transcription factor in nuclear extracts isolated from heat-shocked hepatocytes were measured in a gel shift assay. Binding of the heat shock transcription factor to the heat shock element decreased with age and was significantly higher in hepatocyte extracts isolated from old rats fed the caloric restriction diet than in those from old rats fed ad libitum. Thus, our study demonstrates that the ability of hepatocytes to respond to hyperthermia and express hsp70 decreases significantly with age and that this decrease occurs at the transcriptional level. In addition, caloric restriction, which retards aging, reversed the age-related decline in the induction of hsp70 transcription in hepatocytes.

Aging↗

PubMed1993

Production of monoclonal antibodies against diquat and its enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

Monoclonal antibodies(MoAbs) very specific to diquat (DQ) were produced. An immunogen was synthesized by binding DQ to bovine serum albumin via a diazo-coupled derivative. BALB/c mice were immunized i.p. monthly with 0.25mg of the immunogen for five months. Their spleen cells were fused with P3U1 myeloma cells and hybridoma clones secreting MoAbs were obtained. Two MoAbs were selected and subtyped to be IgM and IgG3. The MoAbs recognized DQ but did not bind to paraquat and other analogues at all. A datum obtained from a clinical sample demonstrates that an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay system using one of the MoAbs is useful in the practice of toxicological analysis.

Adult↗

PubMed1993

Obtaining a critical care pharmacist position: a marketing case study.

Marketing theory is used to explain how Pharmacy Department managers at a Vancouver-area hospital secured a new ICU pharmacist position in a period of severe fiscal constraint. Market segmentation, target marketing and pull marketing strategy were combined to obtain support for the new position. Improved drug information services for ICU nurses were promoted to Nursing Administration and enhanced pharmacotherapy monitoring was promoted to the two critical care physicians primarily responsible for patient care in the ICU. These physicians and Nursing Administration voiced their support for the new position to the V.P. of Nursing (the functional officer for Pharmacy), who then promoted the new position to Hospital Administration. A half-time DUR commitment by the ICU pharmacist was offered to Hospital Administration, expanding this already successful service and guaranteeing cost recovery for the new position. Hospital Administration approved the new ICU clinical pharmacist position in a budget which saw other hospital departments lose several positions.

British Columbia↗

PubMed1993

Comparative effects of suppressive cytokines on isolated single CD34(3+) stem/progenitor cells from human bone marrow and umbilical cord blood plated with and without serum.

A number of cytokines have been implicated in the suppression of myeloid stem and progenitor cell proliferation. It has been suggested that some of these act directly on the stem/progenitors themselves, based on the effects of these cells, plated in culture at low seeding densities, on highly enriched populations. These studies, however, do not definitively rule out effects on accessory cells. To more rigorously evaluate direct-acting suppressive effects of cytokines, such cytokines were assessed for their effects on colony formation initiated by single bone marrow (BM) or umbilical cord blood (CB) CD34 cells sorted into single wells in the presence of a combination of growth-stimulating cytokines (erythropoietin [Epo], steel factor [SLF], granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor [GM-CSF], and interleukin-3 [IL-3]) and in the presence or absence of serum. Under these conditions, it was demonstrated that H-ferritin, transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-beta 1), and members of the chemokine family (macrophage inflammatory protein-1 alpha [MIP-1 alpha], MIP-2 beta, platelet factor 4 [PF4], IL-8, and macrophage chemotactic and activating factor [MCAF]) had direct significant suppressive activities on single stem/progenitor cells from adult human BM in the presence or absence of serum. Single sorted CB cells were much less sensitive to inhibition by these cytokines. The reasons for this differential sensitivity are not known. Of possible relevance to this for cytokines, such as H-ferritin and the chemokines that have actions during S-phase of the cell cycle, CB progenitors were in slower cycle at initiation of culture than were BM progenitors.

Antigens, CD↗

PubMed1993

[Diagnostic value of fiberbronchoscopy on pulmonary tuberculosis].

Result of fiberbronchoscopy in 89 patients with pulmonary tuberculosis were reported. Among them, lesions were located in the right in 49, left 20 and bilateral 1 case. The total positive rate of brushings was 80.28% and of BAL 85.71%, both significantly higher than of biopsy (42.55%). In the area of the congested, swollen and coarse bronchial mucose, brushings and BAL respectively gave positive rates of 86.36% and 90.91%, statistically greater than biopsy (21.88%). But, biopsy of the granulations and nodules was positive for 100%, while brushings for 50% (P < 0.01). When bronchoscopy revealed no obvious abnormality of the visible airways, the positive rate of BAL (80.00%) was remarkably higher than of biopsy (50%).

Adolescent↗

PubMed1993

[Effect of increase and decrease of measurement voltage on skin impedance].

The skin impedance has been used as an index to plot out the meridian courses. In most of this kind of methods during measurement voltage was necessary to deliver to the subject's skin. It is unknown whether increasing the measuring voltage can change non-low skin impedance points (non-LSIP) into low skin impedance points (LSIP). In order to clarify the problem, we made an investigation on the effect of increasing and decreasing the measuring voltage on skin impedance. Subjects under observation were 12 healthy volunteers. On the medial side of forearm two levels were selected for measurement. Four or twenty non-LISP were observed on each level. The measuring system worked on the basis of bioelectrode method. The measurement and data processing were controlled by microcomputer. During measurement impedance of LSIP decreased correspondingly with the increase of voltage and vice versa, but the value of impedance was not exceeded 100k omega in spite of increasing or decreasing the voltage. That is, low impedance is the inherent characteristics of LSIP. On the contrary, the impedance of non-LSIP remained in higher than 600k omega in most of cases during increasing voltage from 10 to 50v. As the voltage increased to 65v, the impedance in a part of non-LSIP decreased to such a low level as LSIP. However, their impedance increased rapidly to high level again once the measuring voltage decreased. The above results reveal that the response of non-LSIPs and LSIPs were different from each other in nature. Increasing the voltage could not change a non-LSIP into LSIP.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗

PubMed1993

[Preliminary observations on junctional intercellular communication in the epidermis of the adult mammal skins].

1. Shown by the sagittal cryostat-microsections, the epidermis of the adult mouse and rabbit skins consisted of 3-4 layers of cells, occupying about 40 mu in thickness. When advancing a penetrating microelectrode from the surface of the epidermis vertically downward into its depth, the cell membrane potentials of these layers in series, being -4---8mv, -6---20mv, -12---20mv, -12---20mv, respectively, could be got. These potentials, in turn, could be used to mark the proper insertion of the electrode in cell of a desired layer. Beyond the depth of 40 mu usually no membrane potential was met. 2. Microinjection of carboxyfluorescein (CoF) into cell in the first (shallowest) epidermal layer, no matter how long the injection time was, produced restricted dye transfer-only to 1 or 2 neighbor cells. Transfer to 3-5 neighbor cells would be seen in 15 min. after 7 min. of CoF injection into cell in the 2nd layer, and this number would slowly increased if the injection time was further prolonged. Similar CoF injection into cell in the 3rd or 4th (Malpighi) layer resulted in dye transfer to 20-40 neighbor cells. Most testing injections in this work have been done to cells in the 3rd epidermal layer.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗

PubMed1993

[Evidences for the appearance of peripheral activator during the advance of PSM].

Investigation on mechanism underlying the formation of the propagated sensation along meridians (PSM) is one of the important problems in meridian research. In order to interpret the problem more satisfactorily, we had advanced a hypothesis in 1987, that is, 'integration of periphery' and CNS under the domination of substantial process proceeding along the meridians". According to this hypothesis, "periphery" and "central mechanism" are operated as a whole. However, it also emphasized that the peripheral substantial process is the determinant factor in the formation of PSM. And then, is there really a peripheral substantial process, or, in other word, a peripheral activator during the advance of PSM. The afferent discharges were directly led from the superficial branch of radial nerve. Nineteen volunteers with marked PSM were under observation. The preliminary results demonstrated that as PSM, evoked by stimulating Jianyu (LI15) or Ying Xiang Acupoint (LI20), travelled along the course of Large Intestine Meridian to the hand or index finger, the corresponding afferent impulses could be recorded from that nerve branch in a part of experiments. Through a series of control observations, it has been proved that the impulses recorded was not resulted from other responses, but really the afferent impulse discharged by the neuroreceptor apparatus distributing along the meridian, which was activated by certain stimulation. The facts demonstrated that "the peripheral activator" really appeared during the advance of PSM. It is of significance for the investigation on the mechanism underlying the formation of PSM.

Acupuncture Points↗

PubMed1993

[Observation on the functional characteristics of cortical somatosensory area during the advance of the propagated sensation along meridians].

It is still not clear what role is played by cortical somatosensory system during the advance of propagated sensation along meridians (PSM). In this paper the short-latent somatosensory evoked potential (SLSEP) was taken as an indication to observe the characteristics of functional activity in cortical somatosensory area I (SI) during the advance of PSM. The observation was preformed on 10 subjects with marked PSM, which were clear and kept stable. Sixteen subjects without SPM were taken as control. Electrical stimulation was delivered to the acupoint Jiaxi (GB43) or Hegu (LI4). The SLSEP were recorded simultaneously from 3 scalp points corresponding to the representative areas of foot, arm and face contralateral to the stimulated side. The results are shown as follows. When Jiaxi was stimulated, the amplitudes of SLSEP component C2 (P45-N55) from above three scalp points in subjects without PSC were 0.85 +/- 0.17, 0.51 +/- 0.11 and 0.31 +/- 0.07 microv respectively. The amplitude was largest in the foot representative area, but attenuated successively in arm and face areas and a stair-shaped distribution was thus formed. During stimulating the acupoint Hegu (LI4) the amplitude of SLSEP component C2 (P25-N55) from the representative area of arm in subjects without PSM was larger than that from the representative areas of foot and face, and a distribution with high-medium and low-bilateral character was shaped. However, no matter whether stimulating Jiaxi or Hegu the amplitude of SLSEP C2 in subjects with marked PSM was nearly the same from three scalp points.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Acupuncture Points↗

PubMed1993

[Localization of the meridian track over body surface by the method of blocking the acupuncture effect with mechanical pressure].

Plotting out the meridian course with objective methods is one of the important projects in the research of meridian at present. Therefore, selecting a proper indication to plot out the meridian track over the body surface during acupuncture is significant for elucidating the essence of meridian. The purpose of this paper was to plot out the Large Intestine Meridian track by blocking the acupuncture effect with mechanical pressure, when electroretinogram (ERG) was taken as a responsive indication. The plotting out the track was carried out on 5 subjects with marked propagated sensation along meridians (PSM) and 5 without PSM. The pressure was applied on Wenliu (LI 7), Shoushanli (LI 10), Quchi (LI 11), Binao (LI 14) and Jianyu (LI 15) respectively, when Hegu (LI 4) was punctured. Under such condition the variation of ERG amplitude decreased markedly or even disappeared. But the variation rate of ERG amplitude was still distinctly increased when the pressure was applied on both sides of any above points. The difference is highly significant (P < 0.01). The results revealed that the meridian track over the body surface during acupuncture could be plotted out not only in the subjects with marked PSM, but also in those without PSM, when the proper objective indication was used. Its course basically coincided with that of the meridian described in the books of traditional Chinese medicine. Now it is safe to say the meridian track over the body surface is existed in human in common. It provides a new approach to plot out the meridian course with objective methods and opens up broad prospects for further application.

Acupuncture Points↗

PubMed1993

[The influence of pressing the meridian course on electroretinogram during acupuncture].

Observation was performed on 23 subjects with marked propagated sensation along meridians (PSM) and 30 without PSM. The electroretinogram (ERG) was recorded with surface electrode and added by an averager. The b wave of ERG evoked by flash stimulation was positive with a latent period about 60 ms and amplitude of 22 +/- 1.66 muv (n = 53). There were 2 types of ERG response during puncturing Hegu (LI 4). The amplitude of ERG b wave increased in 33 subjects and decreased in 20 subjects. However, the acupuncture effect was kept relatively stable in each subject. The spontaneous variation of ERG amplitude was about 10%. In contrast, it changed by 26.5 +/- 2.43% (n = 20) when Hegu (LI 4) was acupunctured alone. It is particularly to be noted that the amplitude of b wave almost remained unchanged, with in the range of 10.08 +/- 2.42% (n = 20), as the pressure was applied on Shousanli (LI 10) during acupuncture, no matter whether the subjects with or without PSM. However, the variation rate of b wave increased by 24.83 +/- 3.74% (n = 15) once again, if the pressure was applied on both side of Shousanli (LI 10), it was nearly equal to the value caused by acupuncture Hegu (LI 4) alone. The contrast between the two is striking. The result revealed again that there may be a certain substantial process advancing along the channel during acupuncture. It is the blockade of this process by mechanical pressure which leads to the decrease of the acupuncture effect.

Acupuncture Therapy↗

PubMed1993

[Influence of mechanical pressure applied on the stomach meridian upon the effectiveness of acupuncture of zusanli].

Traditional Chinese Medicine holds that meridians is the regulative system of the functional activity of the human body. According to the theory of meridians there is a relatively specific connection between the acupoint and viscus. Not a few researchers have paid much attention to this problem. Our previous report showed the mechanical pressure could block the borborygmi caused by puncturing Zusanli (ST 36) in the subjects with marked propagated sensation along meridians (PSM). This paper deals with experiments to compare the influence of pressing the meridian course and non-meridian point on electrogastrogram (EGG) during puncturing Zusanli in 33 subjects without PSM. The acupoint Liangqiu (ST 34) was selected as a compressed point and the points on its either side as controls. EGG was recorded with surface non-polarizable electrode from two abdominal points corresponding to the areas of corpus ventriculi and antrum pyloricum. The effect of acupuncture on EGG appeared in two kind of responses which depended on the amplitude of EGG before acupuncture. The amplitude of EGG increased if it was low before acupuncture. On the contrary, it decreased. The response was bi-directional. It is particular to be noticed that the acupuncture effect was markedly influenced by mechanical pressure. When the pressure was applied on acupoint Liangqiu the acupuncture effect markedly decreased, even disappeared. Whereas mechanical pressure was applied on the both side of Liangqiu, an influence on acupuncture effect of EGG could not be found.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Acupuncture Points↗

PubMed1993

[Experimental observation on the relation between pericardium meridian and cardiac function].

The theory of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) holds that "internally, meridians connect with the visceral organs, and externally, with the joints, limbs and other superficial tissues of the body". The results of the investigations on the meridian phenomena, including propagated sensation along meridians (PSM) and others, also showed that certain lines or tracks, coincident with the course of classical meridians, really existed over the body surface. In order to probe into the relation between the pericardium meridian, acting as a organic whole, and the cardiac function, 100 cases of patients suffering from coronary heart disease, with or without PSM, were observed on the one and the same subject before and after acupuncture for comparison. Four acupoints, namely Neiguan (PC6), Ximen (PC4), Quze (PC3), Tianquan (PC2) and two other non-acupoint spots on the Pericerdium Meridian of the same person were acupunctured in different days respectively. At the same time, the spots locating on the both sides of above 4 acupoints, with a distance of 1.5-2.0 cm from them former, and Guangming (GB37) of Gall-Bladder Meridian were taken as controls. Electrocardiogram, cardiophonogram and rheocardiogram were recorded simultaneously. Taking PEP, LVET, P/L, HI, SV, CO, ST segment and T wave of ECG as indexes for analysis, the effect of acupuncture of acupoints on Pericardium Meridian and controls were compared. The results of 737 times of observation demonstrated that the 8 indexes of 4 acupoints and other two non-acupoint spots on the Pericardium Meridian all changed conspicuously after acupuncture. However, the changes of above indexes of the controls, including 8 spots beside Pericardium Meridian, were slight.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Acupuncture Points↗

PubMed1993

[The difference in the time for the appearance of acupuncture effects between the subjects with and without PSM during acupuncture of neiguan].

It has been reported that ECG of the patients of coronary heart disease with PSM got marked improvement when Neiguan (PC6) was punctured, in comparison with the patients without propagated sensation along meridians (PSM). The difference between the two was significant. However some others reported that the acupuncture effects between the two had no striking difference. Authors detected that during acupuncture of Neiguan the change of ECG of the patients showed dynamic character and some patients without PSM were also marked as the duration of acupuncture was prolonged. For this reason, this paper was aimed to observe whether any difference appeared in the development of acupuncture effects between the patients with and without PSM. One hundred and seventy cases of patients with coronary heart disease were observed, of which 86 were male and 84 female, aged 35-83 years. Varying degree of PSM appeared in 80 of them, but not in the remaining 90. ECG was recorded with polygraph (model SJ-42) before acupuncture. Then the Neiguan acupoint of the left forearm was punctured by slow twisting for 5 minutes and the feature of PSM was carefully observed. Another recording of ECG was taken after retaining needle for 10 minutes. Retaining needle lasted for 30 minutes in a part of the patients and the needle was manipulated every 16 minutes in order to keep the needling sensation.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Acupuncture Therapy↗

PubMed1993

[Observation on the relation between propagated sensation along meridians and the therapeutic effect of acupuncture on myopia of youngsters].

Nine hundred and ninety two eyes suffering from various degrees of myopia in 536 youngsters were treated with acupuncture. A method of exciting propagated sensation along meridians (PSM) and making it travel toward the affected region was employed in treatment. Bilateral Hegu (LI4) and Taichong (LR3); and bilateral Waiguan (ST5) and Guangming (GB37) were punctured on alternate days. The results showed that after 1-3 periods of treatment, the vision of 868 eyes (87.5%) were improved in various extent. Among them, the vision completely recovered in 131 eyes (13.31%), and the diopter decreased-0.75 to -1.00 D.S. in 13 eyes after acupuncture treatment. The therapeutic effect of acupuncture seemed to be considerably satisfactory and stable in two years following up. The extent of distinctness of PSM raised markedly with the increase of times of acupuncture. There was a close relation between the extent of distinctness of PSM and effectiveness of acupuncture. The more striking the centripetal PSM, the better was therapeutic effect of acupuncture. The excellent effect was always achieved when PSM arrived at the affected eye. Since PSM arrived at a large number of eyes in the subjects in younger year and so the better therapeutic effect was also achieved.

Acupuncture Therapy↗

PubMed1993

[Observation on the phenomenon of propagated sensation along meridians in youngsters].

That the opinion on the relation between the propagated sensation along meridians (PSM) and the age of the subjects was divergent in the results reported by some authors. In the last 10 years, we have performed a systematic investigation on PSM on a group of 536 youngsters. The main characteristics of PSM in youngsters were just the same as that of adults. However, the incidence of PSM in youngsters, particularly the degree of distinctness of PSM, was by far higher than that of adults. The results were stable and could be repeated in the experiments performed in different years. It showed that there was surely a close relation between the degree of distinctness of PSM and the age of subjects. This fact can not be appropriately explained at present. However, it provides an important clue to clarify the factors which influence the appearance of PSM, and in turn to promote the improvement of the therapeutic effect of acupuncture and cilacriation of the mechanism underlying the formation of PSM.

Acupuncture Therapy↗

PubMed1993

[Studies on the low skin impedance points and the feature of its distribution along the channels by microcomputer. II. Distribution of LSIPS along the channels].

The distribution of low skin impedance poionts (LSIPS) was observed on 60 healthy volunteers with a computer system designed to measure the skin impedance. The results demonstrated that LSIPs basically distributed along the channels. The method used was reliable and results obtained was repeatable. Some problems, which puzzled the researchers for so many years, now have been clarified and the method for measuring the skin impedance has been developed to a new level. Under the specified condition, the skin impedance can be used as an indicator to plot out the courses of channels in the research.

Adult↗

PubMed1993

[Displaying of meridian courses travelling over human body surface under natural conditions].

Based on the technique of infrared image information, the instantaneous infrared signals of isoenergy radiated from body surface was sampled and displayed continuously in this work. The inherent infrared radiant tracks over the body surface was successfully displayed under the natural conditions, without any artificial stimulation or interference. Fourty nine times of observation were performed on 30 volunteers and 594 lines of radiant track have been recorded. Most of the radiant tracks were line or narrow band in shape. Their courses coincided or basically coincided with that of the classical Fourteen Meridians. It seemed to be considerably identical with the classical meridian course in about 30% of the cases observed and some of them travelled over several body regions along meridian courses. The method established in this work first enables us to recognize figuratively the inherent meridian courses travelling over the body surface. The description on the meridians in the books of traditional Chinese medicine was thus evidenced. The aim pursued by the researchers in this field for a long period of time has now been realized, though something still remained to be further improved in this work. The facts irrefutably confirmed that meridian is the inherent organization and function of human body and there must be a corresponding substantial basis in 'periphery'. A more clear approach for elucidation of the essence of meridians has come into view from above facts.

Adult↗