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Biomedical subjects

D Shi

Publications and source records attributed to D Shi.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

[Perilunate progressive instability of the wrist: a study of wrist dynamics].

OBJECTIVE: To study the changes in dynamics of wrist motor tendons after perilunate instability of the wrist. METHODS: 14 cadaver upper extremities were used. Excursions of the principle wrist and finger motor tendons were measured during wrist flexion-extension and radiolunar deviation was determined. Data were collected in the intact wrist, then in the wrist with stage I, II and III perilunate instability. The average moment arms of the tendons during wrist motion were calculated. RESULTS: The moment arms of the wrist flexors increased and those of the finger flexors decreased after instability. Increase in the moment arms dominated changes of radial side wrist motors, while decrease in the moment arms dominated ulnar wrist motors. Moment arms of the flexor carpi radialis tendon showed a consistent increase during wrist motion. CONCLUSION: The changes in wrist dynamics play an important role in clinical manifestations of perilunate instability. The significance of kinetic information on principle of treatment of the instability is discussed.

Biomechanical Phenomena↗

[Inhibitor of plasminogen activator 1 (PAI-1) in hepatocellular carcinoma].

OBJECTIVE: To study the expression of the type-1 inhibitor of plasminogen activator (PAI-1) on protein and mRNA in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and the relation between PAI-1 and biological behaviour of HCC. METHOD: The tumor specimens of HCC (n = 48) and benign liver tumor (contorl n = 12) were tested by immunohistochemistry for the expression of PAI-1 protein. The tumor specimens of HCC (n = 20) and normal liver tissue (contorl n = 5) were evaluated by Northern blot analysis for the expression of PAI-1 mRNA. RESULT: PAI-1 protein and PAI-1 mRNA were higher in tumor cell than in the marginal tissue of tumor and in control (P < 0.01 and P < 0.05). In deaths 2 years after surgery, PAI-1 was increased as compared to the survival group (P < 0.05). When negative PAI-1 conupared with positive urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA) and positive uPA receptor (uPAR). The nambeigs invasion case increased, the difference was more significant than that in the group with negative PAI-1, uPA and uPAR (P = 0.039). CONCLUSION: The expression of PAI-1 protein and PAI-1 mRNA is increased in HCC. PAI-1 contributes to the invasion, metastasis and prognosis of HCC.

Blotting, Northern↗

Diverse genetic regulatory motifs required for murine adenosine deaminase gene expression in the placenta.

Murine adenosine deaminase (ADA) is a ubiquitous purine catabolic enzyme whose expression is subject to developmental and tissue-specific regulation. ADA is enriched in trophoblast cells of the chorioallantoic placenta and is essential for embryonic and fetal development. To begin to understand the genetic pathway controlling Ada gene expression in the placenta, we have identified and characterized a 770-base pair fragment located 5.4 kilobase pairs upstream of the Ada transcription initiation site, which directs reporter gene expression to the placenta of transgenic mice. The expression pattern of the reporter gene reflected that of the endogenous Ada gene in the placenta. Sequence analysis revealed potential binding sites for bHLH and GATA transcription factors. DNase I footprinting defined three protein binding regions, one of which was placenta-specific. Mutations in the potential protein binding sites and footprinting regions resulted in loss of placental expression in transgenic mice. These findings indicate that multiple protein binding motifs are necessary for Ada expression in the placenta.

Adenosine Deaminase↗

[Preliminary observation of MRI manifestations of adult pulmonary tuberculosis].

OBJECTIVE: To study the role of MRI in diagnosis of adult pulmonary tuberculosis. METHODS: MRI and X-ray appearance of 55 adult pulmonary tuberculosis cases were reviewed. RESULTS: No obvious difference was found between the images of MRI and chest radiography which reflect infiltrative and proliferative pathologic changes of pulmonary tuberculosis (including cavity, tuberculoma and caserous pneumonitis). Infiltrative, proliferative lesions and caserous pneumonitis showed middle signal on the T1 and T2 weighted images. Cavity showed low signal. Tuberculoma showed generally hyterogenous signal on the T2 weighted images. CONCLUSION: It is unnecessary to use MRI as a routine tool for diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis.

Adult↗

[The preparation of poly (DL-lactide) hollow fiber and the release of drug in vitro].

The biodegradable hollow fibers of DL-PLA were prepared by a dry-wet phase inversion spinning process. By using four different spinning systems, DL-PLA hollow fibers with varying asymmetric membrane structure were obtained. The structure of hollow fiber wall was examined by SEM. In vitro release of norethisterone from the DL-PLA hollow fibers was also investigated. The hollow fibers were filled with a 50 wt% NET in castor oil. The DL-PLA hollow fibers NET release was found to be dependent on the membrane structure of the hollow fiber wall. Possible release mechanisms were discussed.

Delayed-Action Preparations↗

Spiropyrrolizidines: a new class of blockers of nicotinic receptors.

The spiropyrrolizidine oximes 236 and 222 and a related spiropyrrolizidine alkaloid, nitropolyzonamine, block nicotinic receptor channels in rat pheochromocytoma PC12 cells and in human medulloblastoma TE671 cells. In PC12 cells with an alpha 3 beta 4(5)-nicotinic receptor, both the spiropyrrolizidine oxime 236 and nitropolyzonamine had IC50 values of about 1.5 microM, while spiropyrrolizidine oxime 222 had an IC50 value of 2.6 microM versus carbamylcholine-elicited sodium-22 influx. In TE671 cells with an alpha 1 beta 1 gamma delta nicotinic receptor, the spiropyrrolizidine oximes 236, 222, and nitropolyzonamine had IC50 values of 9.5, 14, and 67 microM, respectively. The inhibitions by the spiropyrrolizidine oxime 236 and nitropolyzonamine appeared to be noncompetitive in nature in both cell lines. In rat cerebral cortical membranes, binding of [3H]nicotine to alpha 4 beta 2 nicotinic receptors was not inhibited significantly by 10 microM concentrations of the spiropyrrolizidine oxime 236, or by nitropolyzonamine, as expected for a noncompetitive blocker. Both compounds at 10 microM had marginal effects on a variety of central receptors, but did inhibit binding of [3H]1,3-di(2-tolyl) guanidine to sigma receptors in mouse brain membranes with IC50 values of about 0.5 microM. The spiropyrrolizidine oxime 236 at 10 microM had no effect on batrachotoxin-elicited sodium influx in guinea pig cerebral cortical synaptoneurosomes or on ATP-elicited calcium influx in PC12 cells. Such spiropyrrolizidines represent a new structural class of blockers of nicotinic receptor channels with selectivity for ganglionic-type receptors.

Animals↗

Vasoactive intestinal peptide: mediator of laminin synthesis in cultured Schwann cells.

To learn more about neuropeptide-induced glial responses which accompany axon regeneration, we studied effects of VIP on laminin production by cultured Schwann cells. Schwann cells were isolated from sciatic nerves of neonatal mice, purified, and incubated for 5 days in either control medium (DMEM + 15% FCS) or control medium containing 10-7 -10-11 M VIP. At 10-7 and 10-8 M VIP, laminin levels measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay were significantly higher (55% and 35%) than those in control cultures. Lower VIP concentrations (10-9 -10-11 M) produced smaller increases which were not significant. Low-affinity VIP receptors which mediated this effect were demonstrated on Schwann cells by radioligand binding studies. The increased Schwann cell synthesis of laminin induced by VIP was blocked when either a VIP antagonist or a VIP receptor antagonist was added to the VIP-containing incubation medium. In contrast to astrocytes, when Schwann cells were loaded with fura-2, VIP did not increase cytosolic Ca2+. This indicates that Schwann cells and astrocytes may have different intracellular transduction pathways; their receptor subtypes also may differ. We suggest that the VIP-induced increase in laminin synthesis which we have observed in cultured Schwann cells may also occur in vivo and might be an important component of axon-Schwann cell interactions during nerve regeneration.

Animals↗

Tetrahydrobenzothiophenone derivatives as a novel class of adenosine receptor antagonists.

A novel class of non-nitrogen-containing heterocycles, the tetrahydrobenzothiophenones, was found to bind to adenosine receptors as antagonists in the micromolar range. Affinity was determined in radioligand-binding assays at rat brain A1 and A2a receptors. A structure-activity analysis indicated that a 3-thioether group is favored and affinity at A2a, but not at A1, receptors is highly dependent on this thioether substituent. A carboxylic acid-derived substituent is required at the 1-position of the thiophene ring, with esters being more potent in binding at A1 receptors than the corresponding carboxyl hydrazide or carboxylic acid derivatives. The methyl (15) and ethyl (16) esters are about equipotent at A1 but not at A2a receptors. A 4-keto group on the saturated ring is favored for receptor affinity. Dimethyl substitution at the 6-position of the saturated ring is allowed. One of the most potent derivatives was the nonselective compound ethyl 3-(benzylthio)-4-oxo-4,5,6,7-tetrahydrobenzo[c] thiophene-1-carboxylate (BTH4, 7; Figure 1), which antagonized adenosine agonist-induced inhibition of adenylyl cyclase in rat adipocyte membranes with a KB value of 1.62 +/- 0.73 microM and adenosine agonist-induced stimulation of adenylyl cyclase in pheochromocytoma cell membranes with a KB value of 9.19 +/- 0.98 microM. Displacement of radioligand binding by BTH4 (7) at cloned human A3 receptors was negligible but one slightly A3 selective compound (11, 3.9-fold over A1 and >7.5-fold over A2a) was found. A 1-methylpropyl thioether (17) was 29-fold selective for A1 and A2a receptors. BTH4 (7) alone, at 10 mg/kg, stimulated locomotor activity in mice but paradoxically acted, under certain circumstances, synergistically with an A1 selective agonist to depress locomotor activity. A pharmacophore model relating structural features of xanthine and non-xanthine adenosine antagonists to BTH4 (7) suggests a high degree of similarity in electrostatic surfaces, assuming that the thiophene ring superimposes the region of the uracil ring of xanthines.

Animals↗

Can cast immobilization successfully treat scapholunate dissociation associated with distal radius fractures?

During a 3.5-year period, 20 of 424 consecutive patients with fractures of the distal radius presented with evidence of scapholunate dissociation upon x-ray films and traction view fluoroscopy. The sequential changes of x-ray abnormalities of the scapholunate joint were consistently observed over a 1-year period, and wrist functions were evaluated 1 year after injury. The scapholunate gaps were 3.5 +/- 0.5 mm at the time of injury, 3.2 +/- 0.4 mm immediately after closed reduction of the fracture, 3.4 +/- 0.5 mm at the time after removal of fixation, and 3.8 +/- 0.4 mm 1 year after injury. By the modified clinical scoring system of Green and O'Brien, of these 20 patients, none had excellent, 2 had good, 14 had fair, and 4 had poor wrist function 1 year after injury. The wrists with scapholunate dissociation had significantly worse function as compared to a selected subgroup of 228 wrists with no signs of intercarpal ligament disruption. All 20 patients with signs of scapholunate dissociation on x-ray examination at the time of injury had clinical signs in the scapholunate joint and positive x-rays findings of dissociation 1 year later. After 1 year, 8 of the 20 patients underwent surgery for relief of symptoms and to stabilize the joint. Arthrography in the patients with persistent symptoms showed disruption in scapholunate interosseous ligaments. This study indicates that scapholunate dissociation with concomitant fractures of the distal radius cannot be cured by cast immobilization of the fracture. Early operative treatment should be instituted for the concomitant scapholunate dissociation.

Adult↗

Biomechanical and histologic evaluation of tendon sheath management.

The effect of changes in diameter of the flexor sheath after tendon repair on tendon function was studied using the long toes of 64 white leghorn chickens. Biomechanical studies of gliding excursion, toe flexion, and ultimate load were carried out at 6 and 12 weeks after tendon repair to determine functions of the tendons healed in narrowed, directly closed, partially excised, and enlarged flexor sheath experimental groups. Histologic examination was used to evaluate the extent of adhesions, healing status of the tendons, and status of the managed sheath. At 6 weeks, gliding excursions and range of toe flexion were statistically the smallest in the group with sheath narrowing, statistically larger in the groups with direct sheath closure or sheath excision, and statistically the largest in the sheath enlargement group (p < .01). These differences in gliding excursions and range of toe flexion were persistently observed at 12 weeks. The ultimate load of the repaired tendons was statistically the weakest in the group with sheath narrowing at either 6 or 12 weeks (p < .01). However, the ultimate load of the groups with sheath enlargement, direct sheath closure, and partial sheath excision was statistically the same. Results of histologic examination demonstrated more severe adhesions and worsened tendon healing in specimens with sheath narrowing. The repaired tendons in the group with sheath enlargement healed better and had less severe peritendinous adhesions than those in the group with sheath narrowing. The extent of adhesions and tendon healing were similar in the groups with sheath enlargement and direct sheath closure. This study demonstrates that the diameter of the repaired sheath exerts significant influence on flexor tendon function. Enlargement of the digital flexor sheath may provide an additional way to improve function of repaired tendons.

Animals↗

[Relationship between c-erbB2 oncoprotein expression and biologic behavior of cervical squamous cell cancer].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship between c-erbB2 oncoprotein expression and biologic behavior and prognosis of cervical squamous cell cancer. METHOD: Immunohistochemistry was used to examine the c-erbB2 oncoprotein expression in 62 cases of cervical sequamous cell cancer, 9 cases of cervical iutraepithelical neoplasia (CIN) and 10 cases of normal epidermal tissues section of the cervix. RESULTS: Nineteen of 62 cancers and 1 of 9 cases of CIN showed positive staining. None of normal epithelium showed positive. In cervical cancer the positive staining rate of c-erbB2 oncoprotein in grade 1, 2 and 3 was 12.5%, 27.6% and 52.9% respectively. There was a significant difference between grade 1 + 2 and grade 3 (P = 0.019). In 20 cases operated on, 3 of 6 cases with positive staining had pelvic lymph node metastasis, while only 1 of 14 cases with negative staining had metastasis (P = 0.032). The 5-year survival rate of positive staining group was significantly lower than that of negative group (31.5% Vs 74.4%, P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The c-erbB2 oncoprotein expression on cervical sequamous cell cancer was related to agressive biologic behavior and poor prognosis.

Adult↗

Chronic NMDA receptor stimulation: therapeutic implications of its effect on adenosine A1 receptors.

It is known that stimulation of adenosine A1 receptors has a modulatory effect on the excitability of postsynaptic NMDA receptors. Conversely, acute stimulation of NMDA receptors results in release of adenosine via calcium-independent mechanisms. These findings indicate a close functional relationship between these receptors. It is, therefore, possible that chronic, low level stimulation of the NMDA receptor may have a negative impact on these modulatory processes. To investigate this possibility, we have subjected C57BL mice either to an acute injection of a N6-cyclopentyladenosine (CPA, 0.01 mg/kg) or deoxycoformycin (1 mg/kg) followed by a convulsant dose of N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) (60 mg/kg) or to chronic, low level (20 mg/kg i.p. daily) exposure to NMDA for 8 weeks. One day after the last injection of NMDA, animals were injected either with a convulsant dose of NMDA alone, or with either CPA at 0.001 or 0.01 mg/kg, or with 1 mg/kg deoxycoformycin followed 15 min later by 60 mg/kg NMDA. Neither CPA nor deoxycoformycin were protective when NMDA was given acutely at 60 mg/kg. Chronic treatment with NMDA alone or chronic administration of NMDA followed by 0.001 mg/kg CPA had no significant effect on mortality following a convulsant dose of NMDA. However, when the chronic regimen of NMDA was followed by either 0.01 mg/kg CPA or 1 mg/kg deoxycoformycin, mortality was reduced to 10% (CPA), or eliminated completely (deoxycoformycin). Moreover, combination of chronic NMDA treatment with either CPA (both doses) or deoxycoformycin produced a significant improvement in other measures, i.e., seizure onset, intensity of neurological impairment, and extension of time to death.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adenosine↗

Vein conduits for repair of nerves with a prolonged gap or in unfavourable conditions: an analysis of three failed cases.

Clinical failure of vein conduits for repair of four nerves in three cases is reported. Two digital nerves with gaps of 5.0 cm and 5.8 cm, respectively, and two median nerves with gaps of 4.0 cm and 5.0 cm were repaired with vein conduits. The digital nerves were repaired secondarily with insertion of nerve tissue slices. The median nerve lacerations were associated with compound soft tissue injuries and were repaired primarily by interfascicular vein conduits. There was no detectable recovery of sensibility in autonomous areas of these nerves and no sign of recovery of the innervated muscles during follow-up. Re-exploration revealed that the vein conduits used for repair of the median nerves were constricted by surrounding scar tissue and axon regeneration was precluded. The critical length for nerve regeneration in human beings and wound conditions unfavorable to nerve regeneration are discussed. This report suggests that vein conduits are not indicated in nerve gaps over 5.0 cm or in primary repair of nerves with compound injuries.

Adolescent↗

Preparation and analysis of large, flat crystals of Ca(2+)-ATPase for electron crystallography.

Obtaining large, flat, well ordered crystals represents the key to structure determination by electron crystallography. Multilamellar crystals of Ca(2+)-ATPase are a good candidate for this methodology, and we have optimized methods of crystallization and of preparation for cryoelectron microscopy. In particular, high concentrations of glycerol were found to prevent nucleation and to reduce stacking; thus, by seeding solutions containing 40% glycerol, we obtained thin crystals that were 5-30 microns in diameter and 2-10 unit cells thick. We found that removing vesicles and minimizing concentrations of divalent cations were critical to preparing flat crystals in the frozen-hydrated state. Finally, we developed two methods for determining the number of lamellae composing individual crystals, information that is required for structure determination of this crystal form. The first method, using low magnification images of freeze-dried crystals, is more practical in our case. Nevertheless, the alternative method, involving analysis of Laue zones from electron diffraction patterns of slightly tilted crystals, may be of general use in structure determination from thin, three-dimensional crystals.

Animals↗