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Biomedical subjects

C Yang

Publications and source records attributed to C Yang.

At least 469 records · Page 26Linked to original sources
PubMed1992

Nodules Initiated by Rhizobium meliloti Exopolysaccharide Mutants Lack a Discrete, Persistent Nodule Meristem.

Infection of alfalfa with Rhizobium meliloti exo mutants deficient in exopolysaccharide results in abnormal root nodules that are devoid of bacteria and fail to fix nitrogen. Here we report further characterization of these abnormal nodules. Tightly curled root hairs or shepherd's crooks were found after inoculation with Rm 1021-derived exo mutants, but curling was delayed compared with wild-type Rm 1021. Infection threads were initiated in curled root hairs by mutants as well as by wild-type R. meliloti, but the exo mutant-induced threads aborted within the peripheral cells of the developing nodule. Also, nodules elicited by Rm 1021-derived exo mutants were more likely to develop on secondary roots than on the primary root. In contrast with wild-type R. meliloti-induced nodules, the exo mutant-induced nodules lacked a well defined apical meristem, presumably due to the abortion of the infection threads. The relationship of these findings to the physiology of nodule development is discussed.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1992

Collagen type II in Langer-Saldino achondrogenesis: absence of major abnormalities in a less severe case.

Collagen extracted either from cartilage or synthesized in vitro was analyzed to identify possible molecular defects in the cartilaginous matrix of a male fetus suffering from a mild form of type II achondrogenesis (Langer-Saldino). The tissue architecture of the patient's cartilage was markedly altered and showed numerous fibrous vascular canals which were focally stained by antibodies against collagens I and III. Collagen II was present, although heterogenously distributed throughout the cartilaginous matrix. Upon electrophoretic separation, however, the patient's femoral head cartilage showed the presence of collagens II, IX and XI only, which was similar to an age-matched control. The hydroxyproline/hydroxylysine ratio of collagen II of the patient was not significantly different from that of the control. Likewise, the compositions of collagens synthesized by cultured chondrocytes as well as fibroblasts were similar in the patient and the control. The results provide strong evidence that, in the present mild case of Langer-Saldino achondrogenesis, collagen II is expressed and regularly hydroxylated at its lysyl residues. This may indicate that cartilage components other than collagen II may be responsible for the altered tissue organization observed. Along with previous observations, our data suggest that the degree of biochemical matrix alterations may be related to the severity of the clinical phenotype.

Achondroplasia↗
PubMed1992

[[Changes in the labor force in Taiwan: 1979-1990]].

"The purpose of this paper is to investigate the effect of age composition on labor force participation rate as well as the change in age-specific labor force participation rate for both males and females in Taiwan.... Data [are] obtained from the Taiwan Manpower Utilization Survey from 1979 to 1990. Results from the standardization analyses indicated that the age composition change from 1979 to 1990 has a leveling effect on the labor force participation rate (LFPR) for both males and females. During the period of time, rate of male labor force participation has...decreased while female labor force participation rate has...increased and then [leveled] off." (SUMMARY IN ENG)

Age Distribution↗
PubMed1992

The effect of IH764-3 on fibroblast proliferation and function.

The effect of IH764-3, a potent component isolated from Salvia miltiorrhiza, on the proliferation and function of cultured fibroblasts was studied. It was found that the fibroblast growth curve had a dose-dependent relationship with IH764-3 concentration. The incorporation of 3H-TdR and 3H-proline into fibroblasts was significantly inhibited by IH764-3, and calmodulin, fibronectin and thrombospondin contents in the test group were obviously lower than those in the control group. Flow cytometry showed that in the IH764-3-treated group, the percentage of cells in G0/G1 phase was higher than that in the control. Electron microscopic observation (TEM and SEM) showed that in the treated group, collagen secretion was decreased. All of these results indicate that IH764-3 exerts a direct inhibitory effect on fibroblast proliferation and affects their ability to synthesize collagen.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

[Preparation of human placenta microvillous membrane and the study of its transferrin receptor].

Human placenta microvillous membrane (PMM) was prepared by differential centrifugation and by sucrose gradient centrifugation, and the transferrin receptor (TfR) was studied using the receptor radioassay with 125I-transferrin as a radioligand. The factors affecting ligand-receptor binding reaction and the characteristics of TfR were also studied. The result showed that there was no significant differences (P > 0.1) in specific binding rates of 125I-transferrin to its receptor between the two membrane preparations, indicating that both of them could be used for TfR analysis, but the method of differential centrifugation was more simple and less time consuming. The study of TfR in sixty cases showed that the TfR binding sites on PMM and Bmax were 3.53 +/- 1.98 x 10(12) sites/mg membrane protein and 6.33 +/- 4.21 x 10(-12) mol/mg membrane protein, respectively. The Kd was 4.95 +/- 3.39 x 10(-9) mol/L, and the highest specific binding was 26% with nonspecific binding less than 3%. The conditions for ligand-receptor binding reaction were optimized when the concentrations of membrane protein and the 125I-transferrin in each test tube were 50 micrograms and 50,000 cpm (specific radioactivity being 2109 kBq/micrograms transferrin) respectively the incubation time was 30 min, and the concentration of polyethylene glycol added for separating B/F was 12% (W/V). transferrin binding to its receptor was characterized by high affinity, high specificity and being saturated.

Cell Membrane↗
PubMed1992

[A survey of T-2 toxin in wheat by an indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay].

The survey of T-2 toxin in wheat randomly sampled in nine provinces was carried out, employing an indirect competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Among 330 samples, 264 samples (80%) showed positive results. The mean concentrations was 53.3 ppb. and maximal concentration was 1122.0 ppb. It was also detected high concentration (84.5-1064.4) of T-2 toxin in human intoxication wheat samples in 1991. The investigation also showed that there existed close relationship between the level of T-2 toxin contamination and the epidemic of wheat scabby.

China↗
PubMed1992

[Hepatic segmentectomy using microwave tissue coagulator].

Hepatic segmentectomy using a microwave tissue coagulator guided by intraoperative ultrasonography is a new operative procedure, which our research unit was the first to start using from 1990. Up to now we have performed this kind of operation with success in 26 cases. Our results suggested that the new procedure simplified the original operation and greatly reduced the risk of hemorrhage and iatrogenic spread of the cancer cells during operation. Besides, this operation as a kind of definite anatomic hepatectomy can minimally resect the tumor bearing tissue in a radical fashion, while maximally preserve the tumor-free tissue of the liver.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Effects of microwave radiation on anti-infective factors in human milk.

In intensive care nurseries it has become common practice to use microwave thawing of frozen human milk for more rapid accessibility. Twenty-two freshly frozen human milk samples were tested for lysozyme activity, total IgA, and specific secretory IgA to Escherichia coli serotypes 01, 04, and 06. The samples were heated by microwave for 30 seconds at a low- or high-power setting and then reanalyzed. One-mL aliquots of 10 additional human milk samples were microwaved at low (20 degrees C to 25 degrees C), medium (60 degrees C to 70 degrees C), and high (greater than or equal to 98 degrees C) setting before the addition to each of 1 mL of diluted E coli suspension. E coli growth was determined after 3 1/2 hours of incubation at 37 degrees C. Microwaving at high temperatures (72 degrees C to 98 degrees C) caused a marked decrease in activity of all the tested antiinfective factors. E coli growth at greater than or equal to 98 degrees C was 18 times that of control human milk. Microwaving at low temperatures (20 degrees C to 53 degrees C) had no significant effect on total IgA, specific IgA to E coli serotypes 01 and 04, but did significantly decrease lysozyme and specific IgA to E coli serotype 06. Even at 20 degrees C to 25 degrees C, E coli growth was five times that of control human milk. Microwaving appears to be contraindicated at high temperatures, and questions regarding its safety exist even at low temperatures.

Antibodies, Bacterial↗
PubMed1991

Partial characterization of rat marrow stromal cells.

Fibroblast-like rat marrow stromal cell (CFU-F) cultures have been characterized in terms of their responsiveness to calciotropic hormones, metal ions, the nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug, and by their putative paracrine role in the maintenance of active populations of osteoblasts at the marrow-bone interface. These studies indicate that CFU-Fs lack a complete osteoblast signature. Subconfluent CFU-Fs grown in the presence or absence of 10(-7) M dexamethasone lack receptors for PTH and calcitonin, and fail to show enhanced cAMP or cGMP responses to 10(-7) M 1-34 PTH (rat), or any evidence of osteocalcin production [+/- 10(-9) M 1,25-(OH)2D3]. Low concentrations of fluoride [10(-12) and 10(-9) M] stimulated CFU-F grown in vitro in serum-free media, though higher levels (10(-7) and 10(-6) M), inhibited growth in vivo and in vitro. Aluminum (10(-12)-10(-7) M) and ibuprofen (10(-7) M) did not alter normal growth patterns, indicating an action on bone cells more differentiated than CFU-Fs. Serum-free conditioned medium (CM) from control and ovariectomized (OVX)/OVX+ dihydrotachysterol-Rx rat CFU-F cultures was mitogenic for neonatal rat calvarial osteoblasts in vitro, but not for ROS 17/2.8 cells. The studies affirm the mesenchymal-like character of CFU-Fs and project their significant role in sustaining functional endosteal osteogenic cell populations.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

Case-control study of cigarette smoking and primary hepatoma in an aflatoxin-endemic region of China: a protective effect.

Aflatoxin is believed to be a major causative agent in the high incidence of primary liver cancer seen in certain regions of the world. In Fujian Province, an aflatoxin-endemic region of China, we compared the cigarette smoking habits of 200 primary hepatoma patients with those of 200 matched nonhepatoma controls. We excluded from our study all individuals with evidence of hepatitis B virus serum antigen and/or alcoholic cirrhosis. Interestingly, two groups of hepatoma patients could be discerned. In patients more than 50 years of age, a significantly higher number of cases of primary hepatoma was found among nonsmokers than smokers (odds ratio = 2.06; 95% confidence interval = 1.32-3.20). In patients less than 50 years of age, this difference was not seen. Previous studies in the rat, mouse and duck had suggested that agents present in cigarette smoke might induce a cytochrome P450-mediated detoxication pathway, leading to protection against aflatoxin-induced primary liver cancer. Our clinical data in the present study are therefore consistent with the previous laboratory animal experiments.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

[Investigation of impairment of neutrophil's phagocytosis and bactericidal function in rats with iron deficiency].

Studies were made to determine the neutrophil's phagocytosis and bactericidal function in three groups of rats (control, iron deficiency, and iron supplement). Results showed that there were significant differences in values of chemiluminescence (CL) among three groups. The values of peak CL and five minutes integrated CL were markedly decreased in neutrophils of iron-deficient rats, accounting for only 41% and 32% of the control's values respectively. These suggested that the activity of NADPH oxidase was decreased, and the function of respiratory burst of neutrophils was impaired. The activity of myeloperoxidase in the iron-deficient neutrophils was also significantly lower than that in the control cells. It constituted only 30% of the control's value, indicating that the bactericidal function of neutrophils was injured. One week after iron administration, the low values of the peak CL, the five minutes integrated CL and the activity of myeloperoxidase all went up apparently, but not reached the normal levels yet. The time the function of neutrophils in iron-deficient rats returned to normal may be related to the process of neutrophil maturation in bone marrow.

Anemia, Hypochromic↗
PubMed1991

Synthesis of a thrombospondin-like cytoadhesion molecule by cells of the trabecular meshwork.

Thrombospondin is a large extracellular-matrix protein that is released by smooth muscle cells and platelets and is distributed widely in mammalian brain. By using western blotting with a monoclonal antibody against the calcium-binding domain of thrombospondin, the authors detected a 180-kD glycated polypeptide in the trabecular meshwork tissue of normal human and porcine eyes. The epitope-bearing polypeptide was soluble in sodium dodecylsulfate/urea (SDS/urea), and apparently it was stabilized in part by disulfide bonding to the Triton X-100 and SDS/urea-insoluble pellet of this tissue. Treatment of the insoluble matrix with beta-mercaptoethanol led to an enriched extraction of the approximately 160-kD form of thrombospondin. On immunohistochemical study, the thrombospondin antibody also reacted positively with the extracellular matrix and intracellular structures of trabecular cells in primary monolayer culture. This suggested that the presence of thrombospondin in the trabecular meshwork was probably due to local synthesis. These findings are relevant to the establishment of a model in vitro for assessment of adhesion of trabecular cells. Because thrombospondin is a cell-substrate adhesion molecule, its role in the loss of cellularity that occurs in the trabecular meshwork of the aging eye and in eyes with primary open-angle glaucoma is worthy of further investigation.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

Pathophysiologic effects of Ostertagia ostertagi in calves and their prevention by strategic anthelmintic treatments.

Pathophysiologic effects of Ostertagia ostertagi infection and their prevention by strategic anthelmintic treatments were studied in 3 groups each of 6 steer calves. Group-1 calves were noninfected controls. Group-2 calves were inoculated with 100,000 third-stage larvae on the 1st and 28th days of the experiment and grazed on pasture initially free of contamination. Group-3 calves were on a similar regimen as those in group 2, but were also treated with ivermectin 9 days after each larval inoculation. Group-2 calves had increased plasma pepsinogen and gastrin values and decreased weight gains, and total serum protein and albumin concentrations from the 2nd week of infection onward. They were anemic at 10 to 12 weeks and had lower carcass and meat quality at slaughter. Strategic anthelmintic treatments were effective in preventing these effects and calves in groups 1 and 3 had similar performances. On the basis of our findings, high pepsinogen values were related to worm burdens, whereas high gastrin concentrations were related to gastric lesions.

Abomasum↗
PubMed1991

Specific binding and internalization of monoclonal antibody HI98-daunorubicin conjugate by human leukemic cells (HL60).

McAb-HI98 has been proved to bind specifically to HL60 cells. In this study, we further observed the specific binding of HI98-Daunorubicin (DNR) conjugate to HL60 cells, the transmembranal transport of HI98-DNR and the process of internalization by immunoelectron microscopy. After HL60 cells were incubated with HI98-DNR-Au, gold particles were first found on the surface membranes of HL60 cells, and then inside the cells. Internalization was found to occur through the formation of endocytic vesicles. Results indicate that the immunoconjugate selectively binds to target cells and enters the cells specifically and rapidly, thus enhancing intracellular drug concentration.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗
PubMed1991

[Preparation of compound membrane of traditional Chinese medicine for mouth ulcer].

The compound membrane of traditional Chinese medicine for mouth ulcer, which is made of drug-containing membrane and covering membrane, is a new type of preparation of traditional Chinese medicine. The comparison of different prescriptions and membrane materials in the preparation, adhesion and drug release of the membrane has shown that that PVA17-88-CMCNa (1:1) and PVA17-88 act best as the base of drug-containing membrane and covering membrane material respectively.

Administration, Topical↗
PubMed1991

Incidence survey of leukemia in China.

A nationwide cooperative incidence survey of leukemia was carried out from 1986 to 1988 in a cooperative survey network covering 46 investigating areas. More than 60 million person-years were supervised and 1670 new cases identified. The annual incidence of leukemia was 2.76/10(5), and the 95% confidence interval of the population rate ranged from 2.63/10(5) to 2.89/10(5). The incidences in oil fields and polluted areas were significantly higher than those in other areas. The incidence of acute nonlymphocytic leukemia (ANLL) was 1.62/10(5); acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL), 0.69/10(5); chronic myelocytic leukemia (CML), 0.36/10(5); chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), 0.05/10(5); and special types, 0.03/10(5). The incidence and constituent ratio of CLL were significantly lower than those in Europe and America. A peak of ALL incidence before age 10 was seen; this rate then declined with increasing age until 30. However, the incidences of other leukemias rose with age, reaching peaks at old age (50-70). The leukemia rate in males was significantly higher than in females, both in youth (10-29) (caused by ALL) and at age old (mainly caused by ANLL). The incidences of ANLL subtypes (including M2b) are reported.

Age Factors↗
PubMed1991

Incidence survey of aplastic anemia in China.

A nationwide cooperative incidence survey of aplastic anemia (AA) was carried out from 1986 to 1988. The cooperative survey network covered 44 investigating areas, involving 21 provinces, municipalities and autonomous regions. More than 52 million person-years were supervised and 387 new cases identified. The annual incidence rate was 0.74/10(5) and the 95% confidence interval of the population rate ranged from 0.67/10(5) to 0.82/10(5). The incidence rate of AA in coal mines was higher than that in other areas. The incidence rate of chronic aplastic anemia (CAA) was 0.60/10(5) and that of acute aplastic anemia (AAA) was 0.14/10(5). There were incidence peaks of CAA at older ages; at age 50-59 in females, but after 60 in males. The incidence rate of CAA in males decreased obviously at age 40-49 and that in females rose clearly at age 10-19, while the incidence rate of CAA in males was generally higher than that in females.

Adolescent↗