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Biomedical subjects

F Gao

Publications and source records attributed to F Gao.

At least 217 records · Page 12Linked to original sources
PubMed1995

Comparison of bupivacaine plus buprenorphine with bupivacaine alone by caudal blockade for post-operative pain relief after hip and knee arthroplasty.

In a double-blind, parallel group trial, 15 patients who were given a caudal injection of 1.8 mg kg-1 of bupivacaine after induction of anaesthesia, were compared with 15 patients in whom 7.2 mg kg-1 of buprenorphine was added to the same dose of bupivacaine, prior to knee or hip replacement surgery. The duration of analgesia was much longer (mean 606 min vs. 126 min P < 0.001) in those receiving added buprenorphine; mean morphine consumption in the first 24 h was halved (14 mg vs. 28 mg) and patient satisfaction greatly increased. There were no significant differences in the incidence of complications although the group which had added buprenorphine had a lower incidence of vomiting.

Aged↗
PubMed1995

Hel-N1, an RNA-binding protein, is a ligand for an A + U rich region of the GLUT1 3' UTR.

Hel-N1, is an RRM protein which is a mammalian homologue of the Drosophila melanogaster RNA binding protein, ELAV (embryonic lethal abnormal vision). Hel-N1 binds to RNA containing short stretches of uridylates similar to those found in the 3' untranslated regions (3'-UTRs) of oncoprotein and cytokine mRNAs. The GLUT1 glucose transporter has an extensive 3' UTR that is AU-rich reminiscent of the 3'UTR of an oncogene mRNA. An in vitro RNA binding assay using Hel-N1 demonstrated binding to a specific portion of the GLUT1 3'UTR. Analysis of the folding pattern of this region depicted the retention of a stem loop structure, wherein the loop is composed of a stretch of uridylates. To further analyze the potential function of Hel-N1, stable transfectants were made in the 3T3-L1 cell line. The transfectants have been characterized, and the presence of the Hel-N1 DNA and protein verified. Data indicate Hel-N1 is a ligand for GLUT1 and its binding affects the stability and translatability of the GLUT1 message.

3T3 Cells↗
PubMed1995

[The establishment of ADBS data bank system for autopsy records].

The ADBS data bank system consists of PC 286 microcomputer, (or 386 and other more advanced machine) VGA color monitor, printer and ADBS V. 2.0 software. According to the international classification of diseases (ICD-9 or ICD-10, SNOMED), pathological diagnoses are coded and put into computer. This system has five functions: search, statistics, edition, print and system restore. For facilitating the operation of this system, all orders are listed as window menu. The statistic results can be shown as tables or figures and put out as disk files or prints. The system is currently an advanced computerized system of histopathological and autopsied records in Chinese.

Autopsy↗
PubMed1994

Antineoplastic agents. 278. Isolation and structure of axinastatins 2 and 3 from a western Caroline Island marine sponge.

The Republic of Palau marine sponge Axinella sp. was found to be an exceptionally productive source of cell growth inhibitory substances. The strongly antineoplastic polyether macrocyclic lactones halichondrin B (1) and homohalichondrin B (2) were isolated in 1.2 x 10(-6)% and 5.4 x 10(-7)% yields, respectively. In addition to axinastatin 1 (3), two new and cytostatic (GI50 values of 0.35 to 0.0072 microgram/mL against six human cancer cell lines) cycloheptapeptides designated axinastatins 2 (4) and 3 (5) were discovered in 1.4 x 10(-6)% and 1.25 x 10(-6)% yields. Structures were elucidated by high-resolution FABMS and tandem MS/MS techniques augmented by high-field (400 and 500 MHz) 2D-NMR spectral analyses. The absolute configurations were established by a combination of hydrolysis, derivatization, and chiral gas chromatographic methods.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1994

Lack of difference in brain hyperintensities between patients with early Alzheimer's disease and control subjects.

OBJECTIVE: To rate magnetic resonance image signal hyperintensities in clearly defined white and deep gray matter areas in patients with early Alzheimer's disease and controls. DESIGN: Prospective series. The National Institute for Neurological Disorders and Stroke--The Alzheimer's Disease and Related Disorders Association criteria for probable Alzheimer's disease. Blinded assessment. SETTING: University hospital, dementia study group. SUBJECTS: Thirty-four patients with Alzheimer's disease. Thirty-eight age-matched healthy community volunteers. MEASURES: Frequency of hyperintensities in axial magnetic resonance images (1.5-T system) seen both in the proton density and T2-weighted scans examined in vascular centrencephalon, centrum semiovale, watershed, periventricular, and subcortical white matter. Periventricular hyperintensities classification include caps, thin lining, and smooth and irregular halo. Hyperintensities in other areas include small and large focal, focal confluent, and diffusely confluent. The hyperintensities were counted and rated using a five-point scale and the Fazekas method. RESULTS: No difference in the ratings, frequency, or extent of the hyperintensities between patients with early Alzheimer's disease and controls. Majority of patients and controls had two or fewer hyperintensities and they were mostly small foci, caps, and thin linings. The hyperintensities are associated with arterial hypertension, diabetes, cardiac disorder, and age in different combinations, but not with Alzheimer's disease. CONCLUSION: Tiny hyperintensities on magnetic resonance images are frequent both in patients with early Alzheimer's disease and in healthy controls; most of the lesions are not related to brain ischemia. When age and vascular risk factors were taken into account, no difference between patients with early Alzheimer's disease and control subjects could be detected.

Aged↗
PubMed1994

Genetic variation of HIV type 1 in four World Health Organization-sponsored vaccine evaluation sites: generation of functional envelope (glycoprotein 160) clones representative of sequence subtypes A, B, C, and E. WHO Network for HIV Isolation and Characterization.

As part of the WHO Network for HIV Isolation and Characterization, we PCR amplified, cloned, and sequenced gp120 and gp160 genes from 12 HIV-1 isolates collected in four WHO-sponsored vaccine evaluation sites (Brazil, Rwanda, Thailand, Uganda). Envelope clones were derived from PBMC-grown isolates obtained from asymptomatic individuals within 2 years of seroconversion. Analysis of their deduced amino acid sequences identified all but one to contain an uninterrupted open reading frame. Transient expression and biological characterization of selected gp160 constructs identified six clones to encode full length and functional envelope glycoproteins. Phylogenetic analysis of their nucleotide sequences revealed that they represent HIV-1 subtypes A, B, C, and E. Since current knowledge of HIV-1 envelope immunobiology is almost exclusively derived from subtype B viruses, these reagents should facilitate future envelope structure, function and antigenicity studies on a broader spectrum of viruses. This should assist in the design and evaluation of effective vaccines against HIV-1.

AIDS Vaccines↗
PubMed1994

Genetic diversity of human immunodeficiency virus type 2: evidence for distinct sequence subtypes with differences in virus biology.

The virulence properties of human immunodeficiency virus type 2 (HIV-2) are known to vary significantly and to range from relative attenuation in certain individuals to high-level pathogenicity in others. These differences in clinical manifestations may, at least in part, be determined by genetic differences among infecting virus strains. Evaluation of the full spectrum of HIV-2 genetic diversity is thus a necessary first step towards understanding its molecular epidemiology, natural history of infection, and biological diversity. In this study, we have used nested PCR techniques to amplify viral sequences from the DNA of uncultured peripheral blood mononuclear cells from 12 patients with HIV-2 seroreactivity. Sequence analysis of four nonoverlapping genomic regions allowed a comprehensive analysis of HIV-2 phylogeny. The results revealed (i) the existence of five distinct and roughly equidistant evolutionary lineages of HIV-2 which, by analogy with HIV-1, have been termed sequence subtypes A to E; (ii) evidence for a mosaic HIV-2 genome, indicating that coinfection with genetically divergent strains and recombination can occur in HIV-2-infected individuals; and (iii) evidence supporting the conclusion that some of the HIV-2 subtypes may have arisen from independent introductions of genetically diverse sooty mangabey viruses into the human population. Importantly, only a subset of HIV-2 strains replicated in culture: all subtype A viruses grew to high titers, but attempts to isolate representatives of subtypes C, D, and E, as well as the majority of subtype B viruses, remained unsuccessful. Infection with all five viral subtypes was detectable by commercially available serological (Western immunoblot) assays, despite intersubtype sequence differences of up to 25% in the gag, pol, and env regions. These results indicate that the genetic and biological diversity of HIV-2 is far greater than previously appreciated and suggest that there may be subtype-specific differences in virus biology. Systematic natural history studies are needed to determine whether this heterogeneity has clinical relevance and whether the various HIV-2 subtypes differ in their in vivo pathogenicity.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1994

Brain parenchymal infection in bone marrow transplantation patients: CT and MR findings.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to assess the MR and CT appearance of brain infection after bone marrow transplantation and to correlate the appearances with laboratory and pathologic findings. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the records of seven bone marrow transplant recipients with radiologic evidence of brain infection. RESULTS: Forty-one lesions were detected in seven patients with proved infectious foci outside the brain before brain infection was suspected clinically. Six patients had low total WBC or lymphocyte counts and one patient had normal total WBC and lymphocyte counts. Most lesions in patients with low total WBC or lymphocyte counts showed no appreciable edema or contrast enhancement. However, all lesions detected in the patient with normal total WBC and lymphocyte counts showed marked vasogenic edema and ring enhancement. CONCLUSION: Brain infection in bone marrow transplant recipients during immunosuppression exhibited MR characteristics different from those typically seen in immunocompetent patients. This appearance may be related to a diminished immunologic/inflammatory response.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Light and electron microscopic radioautographic study on the incorporation of 3H-thymidine into the lung by means of a new nebulizer.

The aim of this study was to investigate whether the water particles produced by a nebulizer can reach the alveoli of the lung when they are inhaled with the air. For the purpose of demonstrating water particle incorporation into the lung, light and electron microscopic radioautography with tritiated thymidine was employed. Tritiated thymidine was dissolved in distilled water and nebulized to fine water particles with a new type nebulizer named Shinki, then inhaled by mice. The lungs were taken out and processed by either rapid-freezing and freeze-substitution for dry-mounting radioautography or conventional chemical fixation for wet-mounting radioautography. By wet-mounting radioautography, silver grains were observed in the nuclei of a few alveolar type 2 cells and interstitial cells, demonstrating DNA synthesis. By dry-mounting radioautography numerous silver grains were located diffusely in all the epithelial and interstitial cells, demonstrating diffuse localization of soluble radioisotope-labeled compounds. These results show that water particles produced by the Shinki nebulizer can directly reach the alveoli and thus, better therapeutic effect can be acquired with the Shinki nebulizer than with the usual nebulizer. Further, the nebulizer can be used for the radioautographic studies of the lung in demonstrating incorporation of some drugs into alveolar tissues.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

[Effect of Leontopodium leontopodioides (Willd.) Beauv. on inflammation induced by animal reversed passive arthus (RPA)].

The extract from Leontopodium leontopodioides 50-100mg/kg ip has been proved able to suppress the swelling of normal or adrenalectomised rat hind paws induced by RPA, and strongly inhibit the cutaneous hemorrhage of animals induced by RPA, lysosome or lysosome of broken membrane. It has also been shown that the extract 100 mg/kg ip can markedly inhibit the migration of leukocytes. These suggest that the anti-inflammatory properties of the extract are not dependent on the pituitary-adrenal system or membrane of lysosome.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

Synthesis and biological activity of atriopeptin III and its small molecular analog.

Atriopeptin III (AP III) and its small molecular analog were synthesized manually by stepwise solid-phase method. The peptides were oxidized with iodine in 30% acetic acid at very high dilution to form intramolecular disulfide bridge and purified to homogeneity by conventional means, including Sephadex G15, dialysis and reversed-phase HPLC. Bioassay study demonstrated that the synthetic AP III possesses potent bioactivities identical to those of the same product of Peninsula Lab both in vitro and in vivo; whereas the linear peptide, having the same primary structure as AP III, showed very limited bioactivity. The small analog, with Ser-Ser-residue deleted from the N-terminal of AP III, was equipotent as AP III while exhibiting a longer half-life in vivo resulting from the peptide modification.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1994

[The extracellular matrix and liver disease: a study with enzymoimmunological assay].

Serum concentrations of laminin and hyaluronate were assayed in 138 patients of liver disease with an enzymoimmunological method. There was a mild increase of hyaluronate level in patients with acute hepatitis (P < 0.05) and a significant increase of both serum laminin and hyaluronate concentrations in patients with chronic hepatic diseases, as compared with those in healthy controls (P < 0.001). Serum laminin and hyaluronate reached the highest levels in patients with liver cirrhosis. Comparing the results from a group of patients with liver cirrhosis with those from a reference group of patients with chronic active hepatitis, we obtained values for specificity, sensitivity, and diagnostic efficiency of 0.90, 0.90 and 0.90 respectively. The results suggested that quantification of serum laminin and hyaluronate may be a useful test to assess the degree of chronic liver injury and to diagnose liver fibrosis.

Extracellular Matrix↗
PubMed1994

Binding of [26-3H]bryostatin 1 and analogs to calcium-dependent and calcium-independent protein kinase C isozymes.

In this study we explored the pattern of protein kinase C (PKC) isozyme selectivity of the bryostatins, a unique class of PKC activators that induce only a subset of the typical phorbol ester responses and antagonize those phorbol ester-mediated responses that they themselves fail to induce. The binding properties of individual recombinant PKC isozymes that had been expressed in insect cells, isolated, and reconstituted in Triton X-100/phosphatidylserine mixed micelles were determined. [3H]Bryostatin 1 showed lower affinity for PKC-beta 1 and -gamma, compared with PKC-alpha, -delta, -epsilon, and -eta. This pattern contrasts with that observed for other PKC ligands. These latter assays were conducted with isozymes reconstituted in phosphatidylserine, conditions that unfortunately do not permit quantitation of bryostatin 1 binding under equilibrium conditions. Using delta 19,20-bryostatin 10 and delta 19,20-isobryostatin 10, we could distinguish the respective roles of ligand and lipid in the pattern of selectivity. When isozymes were reconstituted in phosphatidylserine vesicles, delta 19,20-bryostatin 10 and delta 19,20-isobryostatin 10 showed similar affinities for PKC-alpha and -gamma, similarly to the phorbol esters. However, in the mixed micellar system, PKC-gamma showed a significantly lower binding affinity, as had been observed for bryostatin 1. These results suggest that the unique pattern of biological responses to the bryostatins does not represent a unique pattern of isotype recognition. Furthermore, the lipid environment of PKC plays an important role in determining the binding selectivity for individual isozymes.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

Sequential MR enhancement pattern in normal pituitary gland and in pituitary adenoma.

PURPOSE: To measure and evaluate the temporal enhancement characteristics of the normal pituitary gland and pituitary adenoma. METHODS: Thirty healthy subjects and 10 patients with sellar pituitary adenomas were studied prospectively using dynamic MR imaging with a 5- or 10-sec temporal resolution during a bolus injection of gadolinium. RESULTS: Qualitative visual analysis demonstrated a consistent sequential pattern of pituitary enhancement in which the posterior lobe enhanced earlier than the anterior lobe by approximately 35 sec. Quantitative analysis revealed that posterior lobe enhancement occurred 9.8 +/- 1.5 sec (mean +/- SEM) before the anterior lobe in healthy subjects, whereas tumor enhancement occurred significantly before the anterior lobe but only slightly before the posterior lobe in patients with adenomas. CONCLUSION: The sequential enhancement pattern of the normal pituitary gland was found to be consistent with its vascular anatomy. In contrast to previous reports, pituitary adenomas were found to enhance earlier than the anterior lobe. These results suggest that pituitary adenomas have a direct arterial blood supply, similar to that of the posterior pituitary lobe.

Adenoma↗