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Biomedical subjects

H He

Publications and source records attributed to H He.

At least 109 records · Page 6Linked to original sources

[Clinical study on treatment of mild-middle degree congestive heart failure with integrated traditional Chinese and Western medicine].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of combined use of Chinese herbal medicine, Captopril and Metoprolol in treating mild-middle degree congestive heart failure. METHODS: One hundred and fifty patients studied were divided into 3 groups, the Group A treated with Chinese herbal medicine, Group B treated with Captopril plus Metoprolol and Group C treated with both Chinese and western medicines. Parameters on cardiac functions were observed and compared 3 weaks and 3 months after treatment respectively. RESULTS: (1) The cure rate in the Group A, B and C was 72%, 86% and 94% respectively. (2) Effect of echocardiogram: ultrasound cardiogram showed that the left ventricular diastolic diameter in Group C was less significantly than that in Group A and B (P < 0.05). (3) The eject fraction in Group C was higher than that in the other two groups (P < 0.05). (4) The 24 hours dynamic electrocardiogram demonstrated a significant lowering occurrence of ventricular premature contraction in Group C in comparing with that in Group A and B (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Good effect would be expected in treating mild-middle degree congestive heart failure by using Chinese herbal medicine combined with Captopril and Metoprolol.

Adrenergic beta-Antagonists↗

[Study on the relation between hypertensive left ventricular hypertrophy in very old people with neurohormonal factors and ventricular arrhythmias].

OBJECTIVE: To study the relation between hypertensive left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) in very old people (> 80 year) with neuro-hormone factors and ventricular arrhythmias. METHODS: Measurements were made on the heart rate variation, renin (Ren), angiotensin-II (AT-II), aldosterone (Ald), insulin (Ins), Holter and ambulatory blood pressure monitor in 60 cases of 2 groups: 30 with primary hypertension in very old people and LVH (group A); 30 with simple primary hypertension in very old people (group B). RESULTS: (1) There was no significant difference of AT-II and Ren among group A and B (P > 0.05); (2) Ins and Ald value in group A was much higher than group B (P all < 0.01); (3) Very lower frequency (VLF) and low frequency (LF) and LF/HF (high frequency) in group A were significantly higher than group B (P < 0.01, 0.05, 0.05, respectively); (4) incidence of premature ventricular beats and myocardial ischemia in group A were higher than those in group B. CONCLUSIONS: (1) Sympathetic nerve excitability in group A was greatly increased; (2) Hypertensive LVH were closely associated with Ald and Ins level, but not with AT-II and Ren; (3) There was obvious correction between group A and premature ventricular beats and ischemia.

Aged↗

[Analysis for the titer of plasma antibody to heat stress protein 70 in workers exposed to benzene].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the titer of plasma antibody against heat stress protein 70 (HSP70) in workers exposed to benzene and its possible relationship to their health. METHODS: Forty-two workers exposed to more than 40 mg/m(3) of benzene were selected as a high exposure group, 50 of workers exposed to less than 40 mg/m(3) as a low exposure group, and 42 unexposed as a control group. Their plasma antibody against HSP70 was determined with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Analysis was conducted to study the relationship between it and other factors. RESULTS: Proportion of plasma positive antibody to HSP70 with a titer of 1:20 was significantly higher in high exposure group (26.2%) than that in controls (9.5%). Moreover, prevalence of adverse symptoms and positive signs, and level of lipid peroxide were all significantly higher in high exposure group with positive antibody to HSP70 than those with negative antibody. CONCLUSION: It was concluded that the titer of plasma antibody to HSP70 had close relation with the health of workers exposed to benzene.

Adult↗

[Comparative study of clinical features of childhood and adult acute lymphoblastic leukemia].

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the outcome, the immunological and cytogenetic characteristics and the frequency of primary multi-drug resistance of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) in our hospital during the past two years. METHOD: The complete remission (CR) rate of 154 newly diagnosed ALL patients were analysed and the biological features of the leukemic cells were explored by immunochemistry and cytogenetics. RESULTS: The CR rate in the ALL children is 94.1% which is significantly higher than that of adult ALL patients (67.8%). Immunophenotype analysis showed that 18.5% of the children expressed myeloid antigens besides lymphoid antigens and 4.8% of them were Ph chromosome positive. Both the figures were lower than that of adult patients. CONCLUSION: Childhood ALL has distinct morphological, immunological and cytogenetic (MIC) features, which might contribute to the good prognosis of the patients.

ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Mem↗

[Study on clinical and laboratory features of preleukemia patients].

OBJECTIVE: To explore prospective diagnostic criteria for preleukemia. METHODS: A case control study of the discrepancies of clinical and laboratory features between patients with preleukemia and those with chronic aplastic anemia (CAA) or atypical paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglubinuria (a-PNH). RESULTS: There were eight variables of significance: (1) lymphocytoid micromegakaryocytes in marrow; (2) immature granulocytes in peripheral blood; (3) >or= 2% myeloblasts in marrow; (4) positive periodic acid schiff (PAS) staining of nucleated erythrocytes; (5) myeloid differentiation index >or= 1.8; (6) clonal karyotypic abnormalities; (7) negative sister chromatid differentiation; (8) > 4.0 cluster/colony ratio of granulocyte-macrophage colony-forming units (CFU-GM). The following criteria was assigned: A: To meet (1) and at least two of the other seven variables; B: To meet at least four of the eight variables. All of the patients with preleukemia met A or B and none of the patients with CAA or a-PNH did. CONCLUSION: Preleukemia is different from CAA or a-PNH. It has its own clinical and laboratory features, which may be useful for prospective diagnosis.

Adolescent↗

Cloning and mapping of a novel human serum/glucocorticoid regulated kinase-like gene, SGKL, to chromosome 8q12.3-q13.1.

Serum/glucocorticoid regulated kinase (sgk) belongs to a newly emerging subfamily of the serine/threonine protein kinase family. Although human SGK shares 98% amino acid identity with rat sgk, their expression levels are regulated differently, which indicates the existence of other SGKs in humans. In this paper, we reported the cloning of human SGKL, which encodes a protein sharing 67 and 66% amino acid identity with rat sgk and human SGK, respectively. A 4.4-kb transcript of human SGKL was detected in 16 human tissues examined and was found to be most abundant in lung. By radiation hybrid mapping, the SGKL gene was located to human chromosome 8q12. 1-q13.1 between markers D8S510 and D8S1797.

Adrenocorticotropic Hormone↗

Endothelial nitric oxide synthase interactions with G-protein-coupled receptors.

The endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) is activated in response to stimulation of endothelial cells by a number of vasoactive substances including, bradykinin (BK), angiotensin II (Ang II), endothelin-1 (ET-1) and ATP. In the present study we have used in vitro activity assays of purified eNOS and in vitro binding assays with glutathione S-transferase fusion proteins to show that the capacity to bind and inhibit eNOS is a common feature of membrane-proximal regions of intracellular domain 4 of the BK B2, the Ang II AT1 and the ET-1 ETB receptors, but not of the ATP P2Y2 receptor. Phosphorylation of serine or tyrosine residues in the eNOS-interacting region of the B2 receptor results in a loss of eNOS inhibition due to a decrease in the binding affinity of the receptor domain for the eNOS enzyme. Furthermore, the B2 receptor is transiently phosphorylated on tyrosine residues in cultured endothelial cells in response to BK stimulation. Phosphorylation occurs during the time in which eNOS transiently dissociates from the receptor accompanied by a transient increase in nitric oxide production. Taken together, these data support the hypotheses that eNOS is regulated in endothelial cells by reversible and inhibitory interactions with G-protein-coupled receptors and that these interactions can be modulated by receptor phosphorylation.

Animals↗

G proteins, phosphoinositides, and actin-cytoskeleton in the control of cancer growth.

Almost three decades have passed since actin-cytoskeleton (acto-myosin complex) was first discovered in non-muscle cells. A combination of cell biology, biochemistry, and molecular biology has revealed the structure and function of many actin-binding proteins and their physiological role in the regulation of cell motility, shape, growth, and malignant transformation. As molecular oncologists, we would like to review how the function of actin-cytoskeleton is regulated through Ras/Rho family GTPases- or phosphoinosites-mediated signaling pathways, and how malignant transformation is controlled by actin/phosphoinositides-binding proteins or drugs that block Rho/Rac/CDC42 GTPases-mediated signaling pathways.

Actins↗

Effects of mutant and antisense RNA of phospholamban on SR Ca(2+)-ATPase activity and cardiac myocyte contractility.

BACKGROUND: The delayed cardiac relaxation in failing hearts has been attributed to a reduced activity of sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca(2+)-ATPase (SERCA2). Phospholamban (PLB) inhibits SERCA2 activity and is therefore a potential target to improve the cardiac performance in heart failure. METHODS AND RESULTS: Mutants of PLB (Adv/mPLB) or antisense RNA of PLB (Adv/asPLB) was expressed in cardiac myocytes by recombinant adenovirus, and their effects on SERCA2 activity and myocyte contractility were studied. One mPLB, K3E/R14E, pentamerized with endogenous PLB in neonatal myocytes and resulted in a 45% increase in the affinity of SERCA2 for Ca(2+) and 27% faster diastolic Ca(2+) decline as determined by SR (45)Ca uptake assays and by indo 1-facilitated Ca(2+) transient measurement, respectively. Edge-detection analysis of adult myocyte contractility showed a 74% increase in fractional shortening, accompanied by 115% increase in velocity of relengthening and 25% decrease in time to half-maximal relengthening. In parallel, infection of neonatal cardiac myocytes by Adv/asPLB decreased the endogenous PLB level by 54%, which was associated with a 35% increase in Ca(2+) affinity of SERCA2 and 21% faster diastolic Ca(2+) decline. However, in adult cardiac myocytes, Adv/asPLB failed to significantly alter the endogenous PLB level, the SERCA2 activity, or most of the contractile parameters. CONCLUSIONS: K3E/R14E is a dominant negative mutant of PLB that disrupts the structural integrity and function of the endogenous PLB and consequently enhances SERCA2 activity and myocyte contractility. In neonatal myocytes, the decrease in steady-state abundance of PLB by asPLB also leads to increased SERCA2 activity.

Adenoviridae↗

Vascular endothelial growth factor signals endothelial cell production of nitric oxide and prostacyclin through flk-1/KDR activation of c-Src.

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a potent endothelial cell-specific mitogen that promotes angiogenesis, vascular hyperpermeability, and vasodilation by autocrine mechanisms involving nitric oxide (NO) and prostacyclin (PGI(2)) production. These experiments used immunoprecipitation and immunoassay procedures to characterize the signaling pathways by which VEGF induces NO and PGI(2) formation in cultured endothelial cells. The data showed that VEGF stimulates complex formation of the flk-1/kinase-insert domain-containing receptor (KDR) VEGF receptor with c-Src and that Src activation is required for VEGF induction of phospholipase C gamma1 activation and inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate formation. Reporter cell assays showed that VEGF promotes a approximately 50-fold increase in NO formation, which peaks at 5-20 min. This effect is mediated by a signaling cascade initiated by flk-1/KDR activation of c-Src, leading to phospholipase C gamma1 activation, inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate formation, release of [Ca(2+)](i) and nitric oxide synthase activation. Immunoassays of VEGF-induced 6-keto prostaglandin F(1alpha) formation as an indicator of PGI(2) production revealed a 3-4-fold increase that peaked at 45-60 min. The PGI(2) signaling pathway follows the NO pathway through release of [Ca(2+)](i), but diverges prior to NOS activation and also requires activation of mitogen-activated protein kinase. These results suggest that NO and PGI(2) function in parallel in mediating the effects of VEGF.

Animals↗

Identification of a point mutation in the para-type sodium channel gene from a pyrethroid-resistant cattle tick.

To investigate the molecular mechanism of resistance to pyrethroids in the southern cattle tick, Boophilus microplus, we have obtained and sequenced a partial para-homologous sodium channel cDNA from susceptible and pyrethroid-resistant tick strains. A point mutation that results in an amino acid change from Phe to Ile was identified in the highly conserved domain IIIS6 of the homologous sodium channel from ticks that are highly resistant to pyrethroid acaricides. This mutation is at a location different from those reported in the same gene in pyrethroid-resistant insects.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

bFGF suppresses serum-deprivation-induced apoptosis in a human lens epithelial cell line.

There is increasing evidence that basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) plays an important role in cell proliferation, differentiation, and survival in various systems. In the eye, although a truncated, dominant negative bFGF receptor in transgenic mice induced defective lens development and caused lens fiber cells to display characteristics of apoptosis, there is little direct evidence of the effect of bFGF on lens epithelial cell apoptosis. Our study examines the effects of bFGF on programmed cell death induced by serum deprivation using a human lens epithelial cell line. Cells supplemented with 20% fetal bovine serum were used as normal controls. Over a period of 7 days, the addition of 100 ng/ml bFGF effectively suppressed serum-deprived apoptosis. The expression of gamma-crystallin and major intrinsic protein, which are markers of lens cell differentiation, was not detected. Also there was no significant difference in cell proliferation between serum-deprived cells with or without bFGF. ICE (caspase-1) was expressed under both the conditions, but the level of expression between the two groups was not substantially different. bcl-2 and c-myc were upregulated only in bFGF-treated cells. Thus we speculate that the inhibitory effect of bFGF on apoptosis is through the upregulation of the inhibitor of apoptosis, instead of downregulation of the initiator. This effect appears to be independent of lens cell differentiation and proliferation.

Animals↗

[Effect of antioxidant vitamins on lipid peroxide injury of aortic endothelial cells induced by oxidatively modified low-density lipoprotein in vitro].

The effect of antioxidant vitamins including vitamin E, vitamin C and beta-carotene on lipid peroxidation injury of aortic endothelial cells induced by oxidatively modified low density lipoprotein (oxLDL) were observed. Bovine aortic endothelial cells were incubated in culture media with antioxidant vitamins for 12 hours, and then with oxLDL (0.1 g/L) for 24 hours respectively. The results showed that the malondialdehyde (MDA) content in culture media of the groups with oxLDL was significantly higher than those of groups with vitamin E, vitamin C and beta-carotene alone. The number of HL60 monocyte cells adhered to bovine aortic endothelial cells was obviously higher in oxLDL groups than those in groups with only antioxidant vitamins. This study indicated that antioxidant vitamins are protective on vascular from injury induced by oxLDL, including decreasing lipid peroxidation and reducing adherence of monocyte cells on endothelia and seemed to be promising in the prevention of atherosclerosis.

Animals↗

Primary structure, tissue distribution, and expression of mouse phosphoinositide-dependent protein kinase-1, a protein kinase that phosphorylates and activates protein kinase Czeta.

Phosphoinositide-dependent protein kinase-1 (PDK1) is a recently identified serine/threonine kinase that phosphorylates and activates Akt and p70(S6K), two downstream kinases of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase. To further study the potential role of PDK1, we have screened a mouse liver cDNA library and identified a cDNA encoding the enzyme. The predicted mouse PDK1 (mPDK1) protein contained 559 amino acids and a COOH-terminal pleckstrin homology domain. A 7-kilobase mPDK1 mRNA was broadly expressed in mouse tissues and in embryonic cells. In the testis, a high level expression of a tissue-specific 2-kilobase transcript was also detected. Anti-mPDK1 antibody recognized multiple proteins in mouse tissues with molecular masses ranging from 60 to 180 kDa. mPDK1 phosphorylated the conserved threonine residue (Thr402) in the activation loop of protein kinase C-zeta and activated the enzyme in vitro and in cells. Our findings suggest that there may be different isoforms of mPDK1 and that the protein is an upstream kinase that activates divergent pathways downstream of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase.

3-Phosphoinositide-Dependent Protein Kinases↗

[Arsenic exposure of residents in areas near Shimen arsenic mine].

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the levels of arsenic exposure of residents in the arsenic polluted areas near an arsenic mine. METHODS: To analyse the arsenic levels in environmental samples and hair in the polluted areas and a control area. RESULTS: In three villages of the polluted areas, arsenic levels in soil were 84.17 to 296.19 mg/kg, in river water 0.5 to 14.5 mg/L, in well water and tap water lower than 0.05 mg/L, in rice 0.196 to 0.620 mg/kg. Arsenic intake amounted 195 to 1129 micrograms/day. In the hair, the arsenic contents were from 0.972 to 2.459 micrograms/g, increasing with aging. CONCLUSION: In the areas near Shimen arsenic mine, arsenic pollution was serious. The levels of arsenic exposure of residents were equal to or even over that of the severe cases of chronic arsenic poisoning reported domestically and abroad.

Adult↗

Characterization and molecular cloning of a glutathione S-transferase gene from the tick, Boophilus microplus (Acari: Ixodidae).

A glutathione S-transferase (GST) was purified from the larval cattle tick, Boophilus microplus (Acari: Ixodidae), by glutathione-affinity chromatography. The purified enzyme appeared as a single band on SDS-PAGE and has a molecular mass of 25.8 kDa determined by mass spectrometry. The N-terminus of the purified enzyme was sequenced. The full-length cDNA of the enzyme was isolated by RT-PCR using degenerate oligonucleotides derived from the N-terminal amino acid sequence. The cDNA contains an open reading frame encoding a 223-amino-acid protein with the N-terminus identical to the purified GST. Comparison of the deduced amino acid sequence with GSTs from other species revealed that the enzyme is closely related to the mammalian mu class GST.

Amino Acid Sequence↗