Biomedical subjects

B Zhou

Publications and source records attributed to B Zhou.

At least 127 records · Page 7Linked to original sources

PubMed1998

Temperature sensitivity of primary spermatocyte DNA synthesis in immature mice confirmed by bromodeoxyuridine labelling in vitro.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship between temperature and DNA synthesis of immature germ cells and to determine whether the early primary spermatocytes proliferate at a 'scrotal' temperature of 32 degrees C in vitro. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Day-7 mouse testes (n = 16) were cultured with 10% fetal calf serum (FCS) for 3 days at 32 degrees C or 37 degrees C and labelled by bromodeoxyuridine (BrDU) for a further hour. The BrDU-labelled cells were detected by immunohistochemical staining using a monoclonal anti-BrDU antibody. The numbers of primary spermatocytes with BrDU-labelling or unlabelled in each tubule were determined as an index of spermatocyte DNA synthesis. In addition, the cultured media at different temperatures were collected and the testosterone levels measured by radioimmunoassay. RESULTS: The numbers of primary spermatocytes (P < 0.01) and the BrDU-labelling index in primary spermatocytes per tubule at 32 degrees C in vitro were significantly higher (P < 0.001) than in the culture at 37 degrees C. The testosterone levels in the culture media at 32 degrees C were also markedly higher than in the culture at 37 degrees C (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: These observations indicate that DNA synthesis of early primary spermatocytes and testosterone production can be stimulated by lower testicular temperature, even in immature mouse testes that are naturally located in the intra-abdominal cavity.

Animals↗

PubMed1998

Tissue-specific and developmental regulation of transforming growth factor-beta1 expression in fetal lamb ductus arteriosus endothelial cells.

We previously established that increased hyaluronan synthesis in ductus arteriosus (DA) compared with aorta (Ao) endothelial cells (EC) from early gestation fetal lambs (100-d, term = 145 d) is transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta)-dependent. We now address whether this is associated with tissue-specific and developmentally up-regulated expression of TGF-beta1 in the 100-d DA EC. Immunoprecipitation revealed TGF-beta synthesis doubled in DA versus Ao EC from 100-d gestation lambs (p < 0.05). In 138-d DA EC, TGF-beta protein levels were reduced (p < 0.05) and comparable to those in Ao cells. Western immunoblotting with a beta1 isoform-specific antibody confirmed these differences as being related to TGF-beta1. Northern blot analysis demonstrated that TGF-beta1 mRNA levels were slightly but not significantly increased in 100-d DA compared with Ao EC, despite its short half-life in DA (9.5 h) versus Ao EC (20 h). TGF-beta1 mRNA levels were reduced in 138-d DA and Ao EC (p < 0.05), and the mRNA half-life was comparable in DA (9 h) versus Ao (13 h). Nuclear run-on analysis confirmed increased TGF-beta1 mRNA transcription in 100-d DA versus Ao and 138-d DA EC. Thus, up-regulated TGF-beta1 expression in 100-d DA compared with Ao cells is due to increased transcription and translation of a relatively unstable mRNA, and its down-regulation in 138-d DA and Ao EC is related to reduced mRNA transcription and stability, respectively.

Animals↗

PubMed1998

[Molecular marker as an indicator in presaging prognosis of human lung adenocarcinoma].

The paper discusses 93 cases of human lung adenocarcinoma in terms of molecular-epidemiology. The relationship between p21 protein and p53 protein and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) was analysed by immunohischemical methods. Prognosis by Cox model was used for prosnosis prediction of adenocarcinoma in human lung. Results showed that the prognosis of adenocarcinoma was poor when of p21 protein expression was positive and the relative ratio was 2.08. However, p53 protein expression was not related to the prognosis of adenocarcinoma. The higher the positive rate of PCNA was, the poorer the prognosis of adenocarcinoma oppeared, with a ratio of 3.27.

Adenocarcinoma↗

PubMed1998

Study on delay two-phase multiple organ dysfunction syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: To study the injury factors, pathogenic process and clinical features of delay two-phase multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS) in severe burned patients and to replicate a standardized animal model that would accurately imitate the clinical features of MODS. METHODS: Forty-five human patients with burn size larger than 30% total body surface area (TBSA) were analyzed. All of them underwent severe burn shock in early stage and sepsis in late stage. Thirty-two goats were randomly divided into three groups: 1) hemorrhagic shock (group H, n = 6); 2) endotoxemia (group E, n = 6); and 3) hemorrhagic shock plus endotoxemia (group M, n = 20). Hemorrhagic shock was produced according to the method of Wigger (6.7 kPa for an hour, 1 kPa = 7.5 mmHg). Endotoxin (E. coli O111 B4) was given via the portal vein 24 hours after the resuscitation of hemorrhagic shock, in a dose of 30 ng/kg/min for 5 consecutive days. During the observation period of 10 days, all animals were hemodynamically monitored, given standard metabolic support and due cardiac and pulmonary support according to human intensive care. RESULTS: All the patients showed burn shock at 1-3 days and hyperdynamic circulation, hypermetabolism and systemic inflammatory responses over two weeks post-injury. Thirteen cases were found to develop MODS according to the prevailing diagnostic criteria, and 10 of them died with a mortality of 77%. Eighteen animals died in group M with a mortality of 90%, 12 of the 18 developed MODS, with overall incidence of 60%. Most animals in group M showed changes similar to that observed in human cases. The experimentation proved that in the pathogenic process of MODS, there was a two-hit phenomenon in the dvelopment of the syndrome. To prevent the development of MODS, it therefore was imperative to blunt the first hit or the second hit, so that an excessive inflammatory response was alleviated. This postulation has been verified in the treatment of extensive burns. Two patients with burn extent reaching 100% TBSA survived with only mild acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and renal dysfunction after comprehensive treatment of burn shock, including adequate fluid resuscitation, drugs to remove oxygen free radicals, rapid restoration of pHi, and early extensive excision of burn eschars. CONCLUSION: Both in human patients or animal experimentation, the typical delay two-phase MODS is shown to be produced by two successive insults in the forms of hypovolemic shock and sepsis. This postulation is helpful in formulating the prevention and treatment modality of MODS.

Adult↗

PubMed1998

[Frequency of protein C polymorphisms in Chinese population and thrombotic patients].

OBJECTIVE: To study the allelic frequencies of protein C(PC) polymorphisms in Chinese Han population and thrombotic patients. METHODS: Two PC polymorphisms PC-1476A/T and PC3342T/G situated in exon 1 and exon 6 of PC were detected by PCR-SSCP silver stain. Ninty normal individuals and 105 patients with thrombosis were studied. RESULTS: The frequencies of PC-1476A/T in normal individuals were obviously different from in Caucasians (0.867/0.133, 0.4/0.6), whereas the frequencies of PC-3342T/G were similar in Chinese and Caucasians (0.60/0.40, 0.59/0.41). The frequency distributions of the two polymorphisms were consistent with the law of Hardy-Weinberg and were in the mode of linkage disequilibrium. The frequences of rare alleles PC-1476T and PC-3342G were higher in thrombotic patients (0.21 and 0.46) than in normal controls (0.13 and 0.40). PC-1476T was especially high in CHD patients (0.243) (P < or = 0.05). CONCLUSION: These results suggest that the two polymorphisms may be one of the genetic related factors in venous and arterial thrombosis.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1998

[CT diagnosis of the nose-eye-related disease].

The findings of paranasal and (or) orbital CT scannings of 283 cases who suffered from the nose-eye-related diseases were studied retrospectively in this paper. Of 283 cases, which were proved either by the operation or histopathology, 128 were neoplastic diseases, 120 were traumatic fractures, 23 inflammatory lesions and 12 fibrous dysplasia. The combined use of bony windows and soft tissue windows were the most effective methods of accurately detecting nose-eye-related disease. Meanwhile, vascular contrast were used for neoplastic lesions and some other diseases suspected of fungul nasal-sinusitis, mucocele or traumatic fracture so as to determine the degree and extent of the lesions. The results indicated that the bony destroy was the main diffusion way of the nasal, eye and cranial disease. The natural anatomic duct or openings often became the passage of inflammatory or neoplastic lesions from one organ to another. This study showed that CT scan can clearly demonstrate the degree and extent of the lesion of the nose-eye-related disease and the way of diffusion. The diagnosis of nose-eye-related disease should be established in the imaging analysis.

Adult↗

PubMed1998

[Type I protein C deficiency caused by a novel protein C gene mutation].

OBJECTIVE: To study the phenotype and genotype of a thrombophilia family. METHODS: Antigens and activities of protein C, antithrombin III, protein S, plasminogen and activated protein C resistance were assayed in 13 members from four generations of the family. RESULTS: Type I protein C deficiency was revealed in 5 members including the 3 members with deep vein thrombosis. All the exons and intron/exon junctions of the protein C gene were amplified by PCR. No abnormal band was found in SSCP assay. DNA sequencing identified a novel mutation 3444C-->A in exon VI of protein C gene leading to His134Asn. This mutation erased a Hph I site. PCR/Hph I analysis demonstrated that 6 members including 5 protein C deficiency members had the same mutations. CONCLUSION: His134Asn is a novel mutation causing type I protein C deficiency.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1998

[Relationship between anatomic variations of nasal sinus and chronic sinusitis].

OBJECTIVE: To understand the etiology of chronic sinusitis. METHODS: Ninety-one coronal CT scans of chronic sinusitis were analysed with mutimedia software developed by the authors. Sinus CT images were scanned into multimedia computer and the subtle anatomic structures such as pneumatization of the middle turbinate, agger nasi cell, Haller's cell, septal deformity, maxillary sinus hypoplasia, abnormality of uncinate process and ethmoid bulla and so on were measured. The results were analysed by the statistical software SPSS. RESULTS: The penumatization rate of total or inferior part of middle turbinate correlated positively to the inflammation of anterior ethmoid and maxillary sinuses. Compared with patients with normal frontal sinuses, the vertical diameters of agger nasi cells of patients with frontal sinusitis were larger(11.70 +/- 5.50 mm and 8.54 +/- 3.67 mm respectively, P < 0.01). Compared with patients with normal maxillary sinuses, the Haller's cells of patients with maxillary sinusitis were larger (77.8% and 33.3%, P < 0.05) and the amount of inflammatory Haller's cells of the latter was more abundant than that of the former(91.6 +/- 17.8 mm2 and 41.6 +/- 12.6 mm2, respectively, P < 0.05). The deviation of uncinate process was one of the factors of maxillary sinusitis. The sizes of ethmoid bullae increased with the soft tissue thickening in anterior ethmoid sinus, the large ethmoid bulla may cause anterior ethmoid sinusitis. CONCLUSION: Some anatomic variations may play a role in chronic sinusitis.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1998

[The relationship of facet orientation to intervertebral disc protrusion and lateral recess stenosis in lower lumbar spine].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship of facet orientation to intervertebral disc protrusion and lateral recess stenosis in lower lumbar spine. METHOD: The relationship between facet geometry (joint angle and tropism) and disc protrusion, lateral recess stenosis was investigated with computer tomography (CT) at the vertebral levels L(3 - 4), L(4 - 5), and L(5) - S(1). 772 facet joint angles (386 lower lumbar levels of 136 patients) were measured on coronal CT scans by transverse inter-facet angle (TIFA). RESULT: There was no statistically significant relationship between facet joint asymmetry and disc protrusion (P > 0.05). Disc protrusion occurred more frequently on side of sagittally oriented facet joint than coronal side (P < 0.01). The patients whose lumbar transverse inter-facet angle less than 20 degrees easily suffered from degenerative lumbar lateral recess stenosis in the elderly. The TIFA in Asian less evident than in European may be the important cause for high incidence of lumbar lateral recess syndrome in Asia. CONCLUSION: Stress on the lower lumbar spine leads to disc protrusion. No association is found between facet joint asymmetry and lumbar disc protrusion. The asymmetry of facet joint will influence the direction of intervertebral disc protrusion at level from L(4) - S(1). The patient whose lower lumbar spine inter-facet angle may unlikely suffer from degenerative lumbar lateral recess stenosis.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1998

[Clinical study on traumatic anterior instability of shoulder].

OBJECTIVE: To study the clinical diagnosis, conservative and surgical treatment of traumatic anterior instability of the shoulder. METHOD: Based on the experience in diagnosis and treatment of 41 patients, we put forward criteria for diagnosis and treatment of traumatic anterior instability of the shoulder. RESULT: Diagnostic criteria: (1) history of injury to the shoulder; (2) sharp pain in the anterior aspect of the shoulder and weakness and limitation of range of motion of the shoulder; (3) the positive apprehension sign and or anterior drawer test; (4) a Hill-Sachs bony lesion on roentgenogram and abnormal double contrast CT. TREATMENT: (1) rehabilitation program for the patients having symptoms less than 3 months and without anterior capsular rupture; (2) capsular repair and imbrication procedure for the patients having symptoms more than 3 months, or not satisfied to the rehabilitation treatment, or severe anterior capsular rupture on double contrast CT. The results of the treatment were satisfactory with average 16-month follow-up. CONCLUSION: The diagnostic criteria and the treatment principles help improve the results of treatment of shoulder injuries, further clinical study is needed for traumatic anterior instability of the shoulder.

Adult↗

PubMed1998

[Effect of TNF-alpha monoclonal antibody on tissue lipopolysaccharide-binding protein mRNA expression in rats after thermal injury].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the effects of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) monoclonal antibody (MAb) on tissue TNF-alpha and lipopolysaccharide-binding protein (LBP) mRNA expression, and multiple organ dysfunction in rats after thermal injury. METHOD: 24 male Wistar rats were subjected to a 35% total body surface area full-thickness thermal injury. RESULT: The tissue TNF-alpha and LBP mRNA expressions of liver, lung, intestine, and kidney were markedly increased (P < 0.05 approximately equal 0.01) after thermal injury. Treatment with TNF-alpha MAb could significantly lower TNF-alpha mRNA expression of lung, intestine and kidney, but had no effect on liver TNF-alpha mRNA expression (P > 0.05). Similarly, the tissue LBP mRNA expression also decreased significantly (36.0% - 72.9%), and returned to normal in lung, intestine and kidney. In addition, biochemical parameters including GPT, TBiL, BUN, CK-MB, and LDH were markedly elevated after thermal injury, and decreased significantly after treatment with TNF-alpha MAb. CONCLUSION: The increase of tissue TNF-alpha gene expression caused by thermal injury might be associated with a marked elevation of tissue LBP mRNA expression, which could contribute to the development of multiple organ dysfunction. The early use of TNF-alpha MAb seems to be effective in inhibiting significant LBP mRNA expression in various tissues and ameliorating multiple organ damage after major thermal injury.

Acute-Phase Proteins↗

PubMed1998

[Investigation on TT virus infection among various populations in Shenzhen].

A polymerase chain reaction assay with nested primers (nested PCR) deduced from the well conserved sequences of TTV ORF1 region was established to detect TTV DNA. PCR products from the 2 patients with non A-G hepatitis were cloned and sequenced to confirm its specificity. By using this assay, we tested the serum samples of 90 normal individuals, 88 paid blood donors, 79 intravenous drug users and 29 patients with non A-G hepatitis in Shenzhen, China. The positive rates of TTV DNA were 7.8%, 9.0%, 41.7% and 44.8%, respectively. TTV DNA was detected in 14 of the 90 normal individuals and 88 paid blood donors without any symptoms of liver disease. The results of this study suggest that TTV infection is common in normal population and the paid blood donors. The intravenous drug users are at high risk for TTV infection. TTV would be responsible for a part of non A-G hepatitis.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1998

[Integrating qualitative analysis with quantitative grey relation analysis in the comprehensive evaluation for solving medical problems].

This paper integrates qualitativ analysis with quantitative grey relation analysis in the comprehensive evaluation for solving medical problems, especially diagnostic problems, and good results are obtained. In it, some new medical concepts such as diagnostic value, diagnostic grey degree and information cover rate are defined. The given example demonstrates that when used in clinical diagnosis, this diagnostic model makes a feature of high diagnostic coincidence rate as well as low misdiagnosis rate and it overcomes the common disability of general medical diagnostic model in quantitative analysis.

Clinical Competence↗

PubMed1998

Selection of EPS-deficient mutants (Exo-) from Rhizobiun huakuii 107 by region-directed Tn5 mutagenesis.

pJB-B5 was a recombinant plasmid of pRK415 containing the 5.9 kb B5 fragment from exoR'-11. After pJB-B5 was mutagenized by MT614 (mal::Tn5), 10 plasmids TN1-1, TN1-12, TN2-2, TN2-3, TN3-1, TN4-1, TN9-1, TN10-1, TN13-1, and TN14-1 with different Tn5 insertions in the B5 fragment were constructed. By conjugation of TN1-1, etc., into Rhizobium huakuii 107 containing the P-group plasmid pPH1JI which is incompatible with pRK415, and simultaneous selection for Rifr (conferred by strain 107), Gm(r) (conferred by pPH1JI), and Nmr (retention of Tn5), R. huakuii 107 transconjugant yields a strain in which Tn5 has recombined into the R. huakuii 107 genome. Three EPS-deficient (Exo-) mutants 107 (TN2-2), 107 (TN10-1), and 107 (TN13-1) were isolated and their inserted Tn5 was certified as the result of a double homologous recombinant event by Southern hybridization analysis. This result showed the Tn5 region-directed mutagenesis is an efficient way to select Exo- mutant in R. huakuii.

DNA Transposable Elements↗

PubMed1998

Discrimination of esophageal dysplasia with progression and nonprogression. High-resolution image analysis for surrogate end point biomarkers.

OBJECTIVE: To detect textural nuclear features correlated with nonprogression and progression in esophageal dysplasia. STUDY DESIGN: Asymptomatic adults from Heshun Commune, Linxian County, China were examined with a balloon sampler in 1983 fifty cases of moderate esophageal dysplasia and 68 cases of mild were selected for study. By means of an Axiomat microscope equipped with a TV camera, 100 visually normal intermediate squamous cell nuclei per specimen were randomly measured from routinely Papanicolaou-stained slides. RESULTS: Of 50 esophageal moderate dysplasia cases, 24 and 7 progressed to carcinoma within three and nine years, respectively. The other 19 cases remained stable or regressed to normal and were used as the control group. By means of chromatin features, correct specimen classification rates of 79.2% (19/24), 73.7% (14/19), 85.5% (6/7) and 84.2% (16/19) were achieved, respectively (P < .001). Of 68 cases classified as mild dysplasia, 16, 13 and 12 progressed to carcinoma within three, five and nine years, respectively. The other 27 cases remained stable or regressed to normal and were used as the control group. The correct specimen classification rates were 93.8% (15/16), 88.9% (24/27), 69.2% (9/13), 74.1% (20/27), 83.3% (10/12) and 77.8% (21/27), respectively, using chromatin features of the nuclei (P < .001). CONCLUSION: In this study, nuclear chromatin features measured by high-resolution image analysis could sufficiently well forecast the outcome of precancerous lesions and discriminate precancerous lesions with progression and nonprogression. It also can be employed as surrogate end point biomarkers in clinical chemoprevention trials. Stoichiometric staining and standard preparations should increase the correct classification rates in further studies.

Adult↗

PubMed1997

Microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 is a fibronectin mRNA-binding protein linked to mRNA translation in lamb vascular smooth muscle cells.

Intimal cushions form in the fetal ductus arteriosus by fibronectin-dependent smooth muscle cell migration which is associated with greater efficiency of fibronectin mRNA translation. We investigated whether the AU-rich element (ARE), UUAUUUAU, in the 3'-untranslated region (3'UTR) of fibronectin mRNA is involved in this mechanism by transfecting smooth muscle cells with plasmids containing the chloramphenicol acetyltransferase coding region with its 3'UTR replaced by fibronectin 3'UTR bearing intact or mutated ARE. More efficient translation of fusion mRNA with intact versus mutated ARE was observed. This effect was amplified in ductus (10.9-fold) compared with nonmigratory, lower fibronectin-producing aorta cells (6.5-fold). Ductus cells transfected with wild-type but not ARE-mutated plasmid reverted to the stellate phenotype of aorta cells associated with reduced fibronectin production. This suggested that plasmid ARE sequesters RNA-binding factors, thereby reducing endogenous fibronectin mRNA translation. We next purified a 15-kD fibronectin ARE-dependent RNA-binding protein and identified it as microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 (LC3). LC3 is present in greater amounts in ductus compared with aorta cells, and overexpression of LC3 in aortic cells by transfection enhances fibronectin mRNA translation to levels observed in ductus cells.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed1997

Cytologic detection of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma and precursor lesions using balloon and sponge samplers in asymptomatic adults in Linxian, China.

BACKGROUND: The principal reason for the poor prognosis of esophageal carcinoma is that most tumors are asymptomatic and go undetected until they are unresectable. Previous studies have shown that cytologic screening of asymptomatic high risk individuals can detect curable esophageal carcinomas and precursor lesions, but the sensitivity of such screening is not well documented. The current study evaluated the sensitivity and specificity of currently available balloon and sponge cytologic samplers for detecting biopsy-proven squamous dysplasia and carcinoma in asymptomatic individuals from a high risk population in Linxian, China. METHODS: Asymptomatic adults were examined with both balloon and sponge samplers, in random order, followed by endoscopy with mucosal iodine staining and biopsy of all unstained lesions. The cytology slides were interpreted using the criteria of the Bethesda System. The balloon and sponge cytologic diagnoses (test) were compared with the biopsy diagnosis (truth) in each patient to estimate the sensitivity and specificity of each sampler. RESULTS: Of the 439 patients with adequate biopsies, 123 (28%) had histologic squamous dysplasia and 16 (4%) had an invasive squamous carcinoma. The sensitivities/specificities of the balloon and sponge were 44%/99% and 18%/100%, respectively, for detecting biopsy-proven squamous cell carcinoma, and 47%/81% and 24%/92%, respectively, for identifying squamous dysplasia or carcinoma. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, the balloon sampler was more sensitive than the sponge sampler for detecting esophageal squamous disease, but both techniques were less than optimal. Improved samplers and/or cytologic criteria should increase the sensitivities observed in this baseline study.

Adult↗

PubMed1997

hCTR1: a human gene for copper uptake identified by complementation in yeast.

The molecular mechanisms responsible for the cellular uptake of copper in mammalian cells are unknown. We describe isolation of a human gene involved in this process by complementation of the yeast high-affinity copper uptake mutant, ctr1. Besides complementing ctr1 growth defect on nonfermentable media, the human gene also rescues iron transport and SOD1 defects in ctr1 yeast. Overexpression of the gene in yeast leads to vulnerability to the toxicity of copper overload. In addition, its expression in ctr1 yeast significantly increases the level of cellular copper, as demonstrated by atomic absorption. We propose this gene as a candidate for high-affinity copper uptake in humans and by analogy have named it hCTR1. The hCTR1 and yeast CTR1 predicted transmembrane proteins are 29% identical, but the human protein is substantially smaller in both the extracellular metal-binding and intracellular domains. An additional human gene similar to hCTR1, here named hCTR2, was identified in a database search. Both hCTR1 and hCTR2 are expressed in all human tissues examined, and both genes are located in 9q31/32. These studies, together with the previously recognized functional and sequence similarity between the Menkes/Wilson copper export proteins and CCC2 in yeast, demonstrate that similar copper homeostatic mechanisms are used in these evolutionarily divergent organisms.

Amino Acid Sequence↗