Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

G Wu

Publications and source records attributed to G Wu.

At least 271 records · Page 15Linked to original sources
PubMed1999

Polycystin-2 expression is developmentally regulated.

PKD2 encodes a protein of unknown function that is mutated in 15% of autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) families. We used polyclonal antisera against PKD2 to examine the pattern of Pkd2 expression in staged mouse embryos. Staining for Pkd2 was documented as early as the 6th embryonic day (day E6) in the embryonic ectoderm and endoderm. Low-intensity staining is seen in metanephric ureteric bud at day E12.5. By day E15.5, the adult pattern of expression is established with low level staining in proximal tubules and high level, basolateral staining in distal tubules. Pkd2 expression is first detected in the medullary collecting ducts at postnatal day 14. Outside of the kidney, Pkd2 expression is widely distributed in utero and more restricted postnatally. The greatest intensity of staining is seen in the fetal but not adult adrenal cortex and in red blood cell precursors. Expression also is seen in multiple endocrine organs, in cardiac, skeletal, and smooth muscle, and in multiple mesenchymal tissues. The diffuse distribution and early expression of Pkd2 suggest a fundamental developmental role. The persistent strong expression in adult kidney is consistent with a more organ-specific function in the maintenance of the mature metanephric tubule.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

Aberrant splicing in the PKD2 gene as a cause of polycystic kidney disease.

It is estimated that approximately 15% of families with autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) have mutations in PKD2. Identification of these mutations is central to identifying functionally important regions of gene and to understanding the mechanisms underlying the pathogenesis of the disorder. The current study describes mutations in six type 2 ADPKD families. Two single base substitution mutations discovered in the ORF in exon 14 constitute the most COOH-terminal pathogenic variants described to date. One of these mutations is a nonsense change and the other encodes an apparent missense variant. Reverse transcription-PCR from patient lymphoblast RNA showed that, in addition, both mutations resulted in out-of-frame splice variants by activating cryptic splice sites via different mechanisms. The apparent missense variant produced such a strong splicing signal that the processed transcript from the mutant chromosome did not contain any of the normally spliced, missense product. A third mutation, a nonconservative missense change effecting a negatively charged residue in the third transmembrane span, is likely pathogenic and defines a highly conserved residue consistent with a potential channel subunit function for polycystin-2. The remaining three mutations included two frame shifts resulting from deletion of one or two bases in exons 6 and 10, respectively, and a nonsense mutation due to a single base substitution in exon 4. The study also defined a novel intragenic polymorphism in exon 1 that will be useful in analyzing "second hits" in PKD2. Finally, the study demonstrates that there are reduced levels of normal polycystin-2 protein in lymphoblast lines from PKD2-affected individuals and that truncated mutant polycystin-2 cannot be detected in patient lymphoblasts, suggesting that the latter may be unstable in at least some tissues. The mutations described will serve as critical reagents for future functional studies in PKD2.

Humans↗
PubMed1999

Evidence for an improvement in cognitive function following treatment of Schistosoma japonicum infection in Chinese primary schoolchildren.

A double-blind, placebo-controlled, treatment trial was conducted in Sichuan, China to investigate the unique and combined effects on the cognitive function (working memory) of children after treating geohelminth infections with albendazole and treating Schistosoma japonicum infection with praziquantel. One hundred eighty-one children 5-16 years of age participated. At baseline, the praziquantel and placebo groups were similar in all background characteristics. Three months after praziquantel treatment, there was a significant reduction in the prevalence and intensity of S. japonicum infection. There were significant age group by praziquantel treatment interaction effects in three of the five cognitive tests, Fluency, Picture Search, and Free Recall, with effects being strongest in the youngest children (5-7 years old). Exploratory analysis within the youngest children showed a significant positive main effect of treatment on Fluency (P < 0.001), after controlling for sex, anthropometric, and parasitic and iron status. There was also a treatment by height-for-age interaction (P = 0.03) and a treatment by iron status interaction (P = 0.024) on Fluency. There was a treatment by S. japonicum intensity interaction (P < 0.001) on Free Recall, but the main effect of treatment on Picture Search was not significant (P = 0.058). Younger children and those who are physically the most vulnerable are likely to benefit the most from the treatment of S. japonicum infection in terms of improved performance on tests of working memory.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1999

Effect of N-acetylglucosamine on function of peritoneal leukocytes.

OBJECTIVE: To compare effects of N-acetylglucosamine (NAG)-based and glucose-based dialysis fluids on the function of peritoneal leukocytes in conditions of peritoneal dialysis. DESIGN: In vitro experiments on ex vivo isolated rat peritoneal leukocytes. MATERIALS: Peritoneal leukocytes were isolated from rats on chronic peritoneal dialysis. On alternate days, fluid exchanges were performed with NAG-based or glucose-based dialysis solutions. After a 4-hour dwell, dialysate was drained and peritoneal leukocytes were incubated in vitro +/- lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Production of nitrites (index of NO synthesis), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha), interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta), and interferon gamma (IFN-gamma) by unstimulated or stimulated peritoneal leukocytes originating from NAG-based or glucose-based fluid was measured. RESULTS: Dialysate cell count was lower during exchanges with NAG-based fluid (2113+/-615 cells/microL) as compared to glucose-based fluid (3643+/-1108 cells/microL; p < 0.01). Differential cell count was similar in both studied groups. Unstimulated peritoneal leukocytes from NAG-based dialysate produced more NO (nitrites) (0.65+/-0.07 micromol per 10(6) cells) than did cells from glucose-based dialysate (0.26+/-0.09 micromol per 106 cells, p < 0.01). Stimulated peritoneal leukocytes from NAG-based dialysate produced more cytokines than did cells from glucose-based dialysate: TNFalpha, 135.2+/-37.0 pg versus 70.2+/-21.8 pg per 10(6) cells respectively, p < 0.01; IL-1beta, 143.2+/-60.9 pg versus 99.1+/-22.4 pg per 10(6) cells respectively, p < 0.05; IFN-gamma, 16.2+/-12.5 pg versus 6.0+/-1.8 pg per 10(6) cells respectively, p < 0.01. CONCLUSIONS: We demonstrated that rat peritoneal leukocytes exposed in vivo to NAG-based dialysis fluid have better ability to produce inflammatory mediators than do peritoneal leukocytes from the same donor, but exposed in vivo to glucose-based dialysis solution.

Acetylglucosamine↗
PubMed1999

Inter-patient and intra-patient variations in the baseline tapping test in patients with Parkinson's disease.

Inter-patient and intra-patient variations in the baseline values of the tapping test were studied in 22 patients with Parkinson's disease using the unequal sample sizes model II one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). The results show that intra-patient variation accounts for about 15.8% of the total variation, inter-patient variation accounts for about 84.2% of the total variation, and the coefficient of variation (CV) in intra-patient variation is 15.8%. The results suggest that at least two or three baseline tapping tests are needed to determine the baseline value of the tapping test.

Aged↗
PubMed1999

Comparing Web search engine performance in searching consumer health information: evaluation and recommendations.

Identifying and accessing reliable, relevant consumer health information rapidly on the Internet may challenge the health sciences librarian and layperson alike. In this study, seven search engines are compared using representative consumer health topics for their content relevancy, system features, and attributes. The paper discusses evaluation criteria; systematically compares relevant results; analyzes performance in terms of the strengths and weaknesses of the search engines; and illustrates effective search engine selection, search formulation, and strategies.

Health Education↗
PubMed1999

[The relation between polymorphisms of apolipoprotein B gene and atherosclerotic cerebral infarction].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the association of variance at XbaI site of apolipoprotein B (ApoB) gene and atherosclerotic cerebral infarction (ACI) in Chinese Han population. METHODS: Using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) techniques, we studied the restrict fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) at XbaI site of ApoB gene in 150 patients with ACI and 301 healthy age, sex-matched individuals from a population of Chinese Han nationality in Beijing. RESULTS: In both ACI group and control group, X-X- genotype was the most frequent one (frequency: 0.907, 0.948) and we did not find X+X+ genotype. The distribution of genotypes in the two groups was at the Hardy-Weiberg equilibriums. The frequency of rare allele X+ was significantly lower in Chinese Han than that reported in Caucasians (0.027 vs 0.418, 0.454, 0.479, P < 0.01). The higher frequency of rare allele X+ was found in the ACI group as compared with the control group (0.053 vs 0.027, P < 0.05). markedly increased levels of TC (5.3 +/- 1.3), (4.9 +/- 1.3) mmol/L (P < 0.05), and low levels of Apo-AI, Apo-AI/ApoB in the ACI group were observed (1.02 +/- 0.34), (1.26 +/- 0.40) g/L, (P < 0.01); X+X- genotype was associated with higher levels of ApoB compared with the levels of X-X- genotype in the ACI group (0.89 +/- 0.29) g/L, (0.78 +/- 0.17) g/L (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: X+ allele of ApoB gene may be associated with ACI to some extent in the Chinese population, and presumbly through its effect on ApoB metabolism it increases the susceptibility to ACI.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

[Clinical study on relationship of blood stasis syndrome with plasma endothelin and nitric oxide changes in acute pancreatitis patients].

OBJECTIVE: To study the relationship of blood stasis Syndrome with plasma endothelin (ET) and nitric oxide (NO) in acute pancreatitis patients. METHODS: A healthy control group and three groups of patients with three different Syndromes of TCM were established. Patients' ET and NO were determined by radioimmunoassay and reversed-phase high performance liquid chromatography respectively before and after treatment. The NO level was represented by the sum of NO2 and NO3. RESULTS: ET and ET/NO ratio were not changed significantly in patients with Liver-Spleen Qi Stagnant Syndrome, but increased significantly in patients with Liver-Spleen Damp-Heat Syndrome or with Spleen Stomach excessive Heat Syndrome (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: ET and ET/NO ratio might be the important objective markers of the existence of blood stasis Syndrome in acute pancreatitis patients.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1999

[Detection and proliferation of hemorrhagic fever virus in chigger mites].

OBJECTIVE: To study the impact of Leptotromhidium scutellaris as a vector in transmission of hemorrhagic fever. METHODS: Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and in situ hybridization technique were used to detect RNA of hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome virus (HFRSV). TCID(50)/ml of HFRSV were titrated for larva and nymph of chigger mites periodically. RESULTS: RNA of HFRSV was detected in the tissues of chigger mites, such as ovary cells, etc. by PCR and in situ hybridization. Titration of TCID(50)/ml showed that HFRSV could be transmitted transstadially and proliferated in chigger mites. CONCLUSION: It provides direct evidence at molecular level for the role of chigger mite as a vector in transmission of HFRSV with theoretical and practical importance in prevention of HFRS.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

[Changes on positive rate and distribution of Helicobacter pylori during progression of gastric cancer].

We observed changes on the positive rate and the distribution of helicobacter pylori (HP) in 7 case during early stage of gastric cancer and in 42 cases during middle-late stage of gastric cancer. The results showed that 1. the positive rate during early stage of gastric cancer was 57.1%, the positive rate during middle-rate stage of gastric cancer was 23.8%, 2. HP was not found within the gastric cancer lesions, 3. for HP positive cases, HP distribution during early stage of gastric cancer was more sparse than during middle-late stage of gastric cancer. These results suggested that HP can hardly live within the gastric cancer tissue, so the progression of gastric cancer is probably independent of HP. It may be a question that HP eradication can prevent later development of gastric cancer.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed1999

[Morphological changes of external eyes before and after blepharoplasty].

OBJECTIVE: To discuss the morphological changes of external eyes before and after blepharoplasty. METHODS: A survey of 92 patients treated by blepharoplasty was carried out to compare the external eye morphology of pre-operation with that of post-operation. RESULTS: It was found significant differences in the post-operative patients, including the increased length and height of eyelids, and obvious changes of the length and angle of the exposed eyelashes. CONCLUSION: Blepharoplasty makes the eyelashes exposed and held up, and increases the up-to-low distance of eyelids. These changes promote the beauty of eyes.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1999

[The enantiomeric separation of aromatic alcohol amino drugs by thin-layer chromatography].

Two chiral aromatic alcohol amino drugs, Labarol and Bataroc, were resolved by thinlayer chromatography (TLC) on the silica gel GF254 plates (2.5 cm x 10 cm), by using the ammonium-D-10-camphorsulfonate (CSA) as chiral ion-pair interaction agent which was added to the mobile phase in the ammonium form. All developments were carried out at lower temperature (2-4 degrees C, in a refrigerator) in small glass jars of 250 mL volume. These two drugs were not resolved at room temperature (15-30 degrees C). Analytical reagent grade methanol and dichloromethane can be directly used as mobile phase without further drying. The chiral separation occured over a range from 40% to 70% (optimum 67%) dichloromethane in the mobile phase volume ratio and 55% to 80% (optimum 60%) dichloromethane in the mobile phase volume ratio. These separation conditions were easily obtained. This method is relatively inexpensive and attractive.

Amino Alcohols↗
PubMed1999

[Modification of the surface of prosthetic valve material by LGDP for protection against microbial adhesion].

This study aimed at the surface modification of prosthetic valve materials by means of cold glow discharge plasma. Orthogonal design was adopted to select the optimal scheme by the experiments of the singular factor, such as output power, gas flow rate, treatment time etc. The PEG-200 was introducted to the surface. Grafting a layer of heparin onto the surface; coating a layer of PEG-like onto the surface first, and then the grafting heparin. Comparing the adhesive amounts of staphylococcus epidermidis (SE), the adhesive curves for Dacron, which was treated by the above methods; the last one is the best.

Bacterial Adhesion↗
PubMed1999

[A comparative study of finger plethysmography and aortic pressure for monitoring the effect of external counterpulsation].

Invasive pressure detecting and monitoring of aortic root was conducted in 20 volunteers so as to study the effect of Enhanced External Counterpulsation (EECP) on aortic pressure and finger plethysmography. The results demonstrated that the changes of aortic diastolic pressure linearly related to the counterpusation's bladder pressure, and the aortic augmentation increased to the top of 168.56 mmHg with a D/S ratio of 2.75(amplitude ratio of diastolic waveform and systolic waveform, D/S ratio) following the bladder pressure of 0.45 Kg/cm2. With the increase of bladder pressure, the dp/dt of aortic augmentation elevated gradually, but a down-regulating trend was seen in systolic waveform. During EECP, the starting time of plethysmographic augmentation had a mean delay of 108.20 +/- 25.70 ms comparing with that of aortic augmentation. The duration between the starting time of aortic systolic waveform and that of finger plethysmogram was arround 96.69 +/- 38.70 ms. When the bladder pressure changed, no significant difference was observed among them. The D/S ratio of finger plethysmographic waveform changed in concord with that of aortic pressure with the promotion of bladder pressure. Therefore, a relationship between aortic D/S ratio (Y) and plethysmographic D/S ratio (x) was constructed by the linear regression analysis: Y = 0.376 + 0.457X. It can be concluded that EECP has significant effects on aortic D/S ratio, aortic peak augmentation and its dp/dt value. Finger plethysmography, to date, still plays important roles in monitoring and controlling EECP work safely and effectively.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1999

[A method of following analysis for glutaraldehyde preparation].

A GC method for the products in cyclopentene oxidation to form glutaraldehyde in a liquid-liquid phase transfer reactive extraction process, which was a new process, is presented. A model GC-103 gas chromatograph equipped with FID was used. The column is a SS tube(phi 3 mm x 4 m) packed with 13% SE-30 coated on 101 white silanized support and a SS tube(phi 3 mm x 2 m) packed with 9.1% PEG-20M coated on the same support. Operating parameters: column temperature programming, 70 degrees C(4 min), then 10 degrees C/min to 140 degrees C(6 min); injector temperature, 185 degrees C; detector temperature, 185 degrees C; N2, 45 mL/min; H2, 65 mL/min; air, 300 mL/min. By using this method, cyclopentene, intermediates, solvents, glutaraldehyde, and byproducts were separated properly. The yield of glutaraldehyde determined by this method is more reliable than that determined by the chemical method.

Chromatography, Gas↗
PubMed1999

[Expression and identification of recombinant 22.6 kDa fusion protein of Schistosoma japonicum].

AIM: To obtain a large amount of purified 22.6 kDa antigen of Schistosoma japonicum (Sj22.6) in large quantity. METHODS: The sequence of the gene fragment encoding Sj22.6 was reformed by PCR and subcloned into plasmid vector pGEX-1 lambda T that coded for the 26 kDa GST antigen of Schistosoma japonicum (Sj26 GST). The recombinant plasmid was transformed into E. coli TG2 and then the positive recombinant clone was expressed by induction with IPTG. RESULTS: The recombinant Sj22.6/Sj26 GST fusion protein was expressed in 5.1% of total bacterial protein and was easy to be purified with glutathione sepharose 4B. Moreover, the purified recombinant Sj22.6 antigen could be cut off easily from the fusion protein with thrombin and had high immunogenicity. CONCLUSION: The purified recombinant Sj22.6 protein and Sj22.6/Sj26 GST fusion protein had the same immunological activity as the native Sj22.6 kDa protein.

Animals↗