Biomedical subjects

H Hu

Publications and source records attributed to H Hu.

At least 109 records · Page 6Linked to original sources

PubMed2000

Lead toxicity in older adults.

Recent studies have shown that lead, even at relatively low levels of exposure, has the potential to harm not only the young and the occupationally-exposed, but also older people. Because they have been alive for a longer period of time, older adults have had more potential exposures to lead. They may have been exposed to lead while working in unregulated occupations, or they may have encountered more lead in the environment on a daily basis. Several large epidemiological studies have found that older people have higher blood and bone lead levels than younger adults. Additionally, sporadic clusters of acute lead exposure among older adults as a result of activities such as ceramic glaze hobby work and consumption of moonshine whiskey continue to be reported. After lead enters the body, it circulates in the blood reaching the soft tissues and bone. Researchers have learned that lead can hibernate within bone for decades. Although lead within bone is of uncertain toxicity to bone tissue, conditions of bone resorption, such as osteoporosis, can cause bone lead to reenter the bloodstream where it can then re-expose the soft tissue, and, potentially, exert delayed deleterious effects. Evidence is emerging that blood and bone lead levels, reflecting relatively modest exposures, are associated with hypertension, renal insufficiency, and cognitive impairment. Medical treatments that now exist to slow the rate of bone resorption may maintain lead within bones. On-going studies evaluating the relationship between body lead stores and both cognitive and renal impairment, as well as the potential modifying effect of bone resorption, will help determine whether bone resorption should be retarded specifically to preserve organ function. Physicians should be aware of potential past and present lead exposures among their older patients. Ongoing lead exposure should be prevented. In the future, treatment of osteoporosis may be undertaken not only to improve bone health but also to prevent mobilization of bone lead stores and subsequent toxicity.

Aged↗

PubMed2000

[A special software for area and volume measurement and 3D image of skin expander].

OBJECTIVE: A special software for measuring expanded skin area and volume and creating a 3D image of skin expander protrusion has been introduced. METHODS: The 3D coordinates of all the points on the surface were obtained by means of interpolation in computer, according to its base, central horizontal and vertical sections that should be adopted in advance. This software was programmed with C language and performed in Microsoft Windows. RESULTS: The area, volume, and 3D image were acquired according to 3D coordinates. The deviation of the software measurement was less than 4% of actual sizes at most in our reliability demonstration. CONCLUSION: This software, combined with our protocol of conversion from tridimensional surface to a plane reported previously, makes up a preferable scheme in this field.

Adult↗

PubMed2000

[Effect of different fertilizer combinations on water supply-demand status of winter wheat].

The soil water status during various growing stages of winter wheat and the effect of different fertilizer combinations on its yield and water use efficiency (WUE) were studied in a semihumid and slanting drought area by using the design of D-optimum saturation. According to water balance law, soil water supply was obviously different with different fertilizer combinations, reaching a peak when N and P fertilizers were combined applied with organic fertilizer, accounting for 27% of total water consumption. N fertilizer added alone took up 100% of total water consumption from rainfall. Water deficiency was most severe when N fertilizer was applied alone, but was the smallest when P fertilizer was applied with organic fertilizer. The combination of N, P and organic fertilizer could significantly improve winter wheat yield and its WUE.

Economics↗

PubMed2000

[Effect of foliar leaching on growth and mineral nutrition of maize under NaCl stress].

The impact of foliar leaching on growth and mineral nutrition maize under NaCl stress was investigated. The results showed that there was no difference in biomass between leaching and control treatments under low NaCl stress (0 and 50 mmol.L-1), but under high NaCl stress (100 and 200 mmol.L-1), the biomass of leaching treatment was higher, with a better at pH 3.5 than at pH 7.0. The shoot K+ content in leaching treatments was higher than that of control under no NaCl stress, but lower under 200 mmol.L-1 NaCl stress. Shoot Na+ content of leaching treatments was lower than that of control under high NaCl stress, and shoot Ca2+ and Mg2+ contents of leaching treatments were higher under no NaCl stress. Root K+, Na+, Ca2+ and Mg2+ content and relative water content of leaching treatments had no significant changes, compared with those of control. It was suggested that foliar leaching could alleviate harmful degree of maize under serious salt stress, which was related with the decrease of shoot Na+ content by foliar leaching.

Minerals↗

PubMed2000

[Prediction of bioconcentration factors of organic compounds in fish by molecular connectivity indices and function correction factors].

Studies on the prediction models of bioconcentration factors(BCF) of 239 organic compounds showed that the BCFs of polar organic compounds could not be accurately predicted solely by the linear model based on molecular connectivity indices. Additionally, the linear model was not suitable for superphilic compounds. By introducing function correction factors to the model, the residual of the prediction model for polar organic compounds was reduced significantly. When the nonlinear estimation was used, the accuracy of the obtained model was further improved. The final prediction model consisted of parameters (0 chi v)2, (2 chi v)1/2, 2 chi, 3 chi c, 0 chi v and 10 correction factors for function groups OH, NH2, NO2, NCOO, etc. The difference between calculated and observed values of logBCF and its causes were analyzed. The robustness of the model was tested by Jackknifed method, based on random grouping and compound classification.

Animals↗

PubMed2000

[Observation on efficacy of puerarin in treating diabetic retinopathy].

OBJECTIVE: Using promoting blood circulation to remove stasis principle to observe arteria and vena centralis retinae blood flow indexes, and hemorrheology of diabetic retinopathy patients with Puerarin. METHODS: Thirty patients with diabetic retinopathy were randomly divided into the treated group (n = 15) and the control group (n = 15). The treated group were given Puerarin 400 mg per day intravenously dripping. The control group were given Mikebao 500 micrograms intramuscularly, once per day. Both groups were taken 3 consecutive weeks as one treatment course. Two courses later, observing hemorrheologic parameters, arteria and vena centralis retinae blood flow indexes. RESULTS: Comparing before and after treatment the RBC aggregation index, the whole blood viscosity rate, plasma viscosity rate, fibrinogen and erythrocyte sedimentation rate, have improved obviously (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). Comparing with the control group, there was significant difference (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). The difference of treated group between before and after treatment, the peak systolic velocity (PSV) of arteria centralis retinae, their end diastolic volume (EDV), the acceleration (A), the central retinal vein reflux velocity (CRV) have improved respectively. Naked eye visions were also improved, comparing with the control group, the difference was significant (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Puerarin can reduce blood viscosity, improve microcirculation, and plays a positive therapeutic role in diabetic retinopathy.

Adult↗

PubMed2000

[Time course of TGF beta 1 and VEGF expression in experimental vein grafts].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate time course of TGF beta(1) and VEGF expression and their role in intimal hyperplasia. METHODS: In situ hybridization and immunohistochemical technique were used to detect the time course of intimal hyperplasia, time course of TGF beta(1) mRNA and protein expression of TGF beta(1) and VEGF. RESULTS: After autogenous vein replacement, the obvious neointima was seen at 2 weeks, and peaked at 8 weeks. The expression of TGF beta(1) mRNA peaked at 1 week and decreased gradually, but at 10 weeks, its positive cell percentage was still 10.1%. Both protein expression of TGF beta(1) and VEGF in VSMCs increased from 24 hours after grafting and peaked at 2 weeks. Their positive cell percentages were 40.6% and 36.6% respectively. After 4 weeks, their expression decreased at 8 weeks, the positive cell percentages were 8.9% and 13.8% respectively. CONCLUSIONS: TGF beta(1) plays an important part in ECM accumulation by promoting ECM synthesis and decreasing ECM degradation. VEGF plays the key role in reendothelialization. They may affect each other and cooperated in the formation of intimal hyperplasia.

Animals↗

PubMed2000

[Construction of genomic library from L. lactis AL2 and isolation of entire nisin biosynthesis gene cluster].

A total DNA library of Lactococcus lactis AL2 with high yield of nisin was successfully constructed using lambda EMBL3 as vector. 3900 plaques were obtained, which is much more than the required number of recombinants that represents an entire L. lactis genome according to Clarke and Carbon formula. Southern hybridization, PCR amplification and DNA sequencing revealed that the entire nisin biosynthesis gene cluster was isolated from the constructed library.

Base Sequence↗

PubMed2000

[Study on the inhibitory activity, in vitro, of baicalein and baicalin against skin fungi and bacteria].

In this paper, we concentrated in examining, in vitro, the antiseptic activity of the baicalein and baicalin upon the seventeen pathogenic skin fungal and sixteen skin bacterial strains, these two flavonic compounds were known principally as the biosubstances of a traditional Chinese medicinal plant: Scutellaria baicalensis. In agar media, the baicalein possessed potent specific activity against the pathogenic yeasts with MICs of 70-100 micrograms/ml; But in the same condition, no inhibitory effect was observed upon dermatophytes and filamentous imperfect fungi for baicalein, and upon all used strains for baicalin. According to the antibacterial test of baicalein, a high efficacy was achieved against certain causative specie of axillary and foot's odour such as Micrococcus sedentarius, Staphylococcus epidermidis, S. hominis and C. xerosis with a MICs inferior to 250 micrograms/ml. The good inhibitory activity of baicalein could be linked to the group hydroxyl (-OH) in position seven of the molecule.

Anti-Infective Agents, Local↗

PubMed2000

[Liver sinusoidal endothelial cell damage during normothermic ischemia and reperfusion of rat].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the damage to liver sinusoidal endothelial cells during normothermic ischemia and reperfusion. METHODS: The afferent vessels of rat liver were clamped for 20, 40, 60 and 90 min respectively. The blood flow to the liver then was restored by removing the clamp. Ultrastructural changes in the sinusoidal endothelial cells in various periods were observed. RESULTS: After 20 or 40 min ischemia, fenestrations of the endothelial cells were enlarged and became mesh-like, but reperfusion for 120 min, led to recovery. After 60 or 90 min ischemia, the sieve plates and cytoplasmic processes of the endothelial cells were destroyed and the perikaryon tended to be desquamated. Reperfusion for 120 min led to no recovery, but resulted in the aggravation of injury and irreversible damage. The liver sinusoids were filled with numerous blood cells and blebs derived from hepatocytes, resulting in circulatory disturbance. CONCLUSIONS: Warm ischemia results in severe endothelial cell destruction. Endothelial cell damages may have unfavorable effects on the microcirculation of the reperfusion liver after prolonged ischemia.

Animals↗

PubMed1999

Class II-independent generation of CD4 memory T cells from effectors.

The factors required for the generation of memory CD4 T cells remain unclear, and whether there is a continuing requirement for antigen stimulation is critical to design of vaccine strategies. CD4 effectors generated in vitro from naïve CD4 T cells of mice efficiently gave rise to small resting memory cells after transfer to class II-deficient hosts, indicating no requirement for further antigen or class II recognition.

Adoptive Transfer↗

PubMed1999

Systemic correction of the muscle disorder glycogen storage disease type II after hepatic targeting of a modified adenovirus vector encoding human acid-alpha-glucosidase.

This report demonstrates that a single intravenous administration of a gene therapy vector can potentially result in the correction of all affected muscles in a mouse model of a human genetic muscle disease. These results were achieved by capitalizing both on the positive attributes of modified adenovirus-based vectoring systems and receptor-mediated lysosomal targeting of enzymes. The muscle disease treated, glycogen storage disease type II, is a lysosomal storage disorder that manifests as a progressive myopathy, secondary to massive glycogen accumulations in the skeletal and/or cardiac muscles of affected individuals. We demonstrated that a single intravenous administration of a modified Ad vector encoding human acid alpha-glucosidase (GAA) resulted in efficient hepatic transduction and secretion of high levels of the precursor GAA proenzyme into the plasma of treated animals. Subsequently, systemic distribution and uptake of the proenzyme into the skeletal and cardiac muscles of the GAA-knockout mouse was confirmed. As a result, systemic decreases (and correction) of the glycogen accumulations in a variety of muscle tissues was demonstrated. This model can potentially be expanded to include the treatment of other lysosomal enzyme disorders. Lessons learned from systemic genetic therapy of muscle disorders also should have implications for other muscle diseases, such as the muscular dystrophies.

Adenoviridae↗

PubMed1999

Relations between individual and neighborhood-based measures of socioeconomic position and bone lead concentrations among community-exposed men: the Normative Aging Study.

To examine the association between lead exposure and both individual and geographic area indicators of socioeconomic position, the authors measured tibia lead concentration, a biomarker of cumulative lead exposure, using K x-ray fluorescence in a cross-sectional survey of 538 white males aged 50-92 years who were healthy when enrolled in the Normative Aging Study (Boston, Massachusetts) in the 1960s. Data on individual risk factors, education, occupation, and income were collected by questionnaire. Using subjects' residential addresses at the time of the tibia lead measurements, the authors obtained geographic area-specific measures of education, social class, and poverty by linking records to 1990 US Census block group data. In multivariate linear regression analysis controlling for age and cumulative smoking, tibia lead concentrations were 10.39 microg/g (95% confidence interval (CI) 7.80-12.97) higher in men who did not graduate from high school than in men with > or =4 years of college. Among the former men (non-high school graduates), living in an undereducated area was associated with a 9.28 microg/g (95% CI 1.59-16.97) increase in tibia lead level compared with living in a non-undereducated area; among the latter men (college graduates), no difference existed by residential area education (beta = 0.72, 95% CI -5.35 to 6.78). The authors conclude that the influence of individual socioeconomic position on cumulative lead exposure is modified by geographic area conditions.

Adult↗

PubMed1999

Increased production of interferon-gamma by tumour infiltrating T lymphocytes in nasopharyngeal carcinoma: indicative of an activated status.

Undifferentiated nasopharyngeal carcinomas (UNPC) are characterised by an association with Epstein-Barr virus and an abundant lymphoid stroma. We studied the functional status of the infiltrating T cells in ten UNPC biopsies using an immunohistochemical approach. Twelve non-NPC biopsies were included as controls. Tumour cells of UNPC were positive for HLA class I (10/10) and II (8/10), LMP1 (3/10), and CD86 (6/10). Tumour infiltrating T cells (TILs) were detected with antibodies directed at CD3, CD4, and CD8, and shown to be comparable to that in the control biopsies. Although expression of CD28 was shown to be decreased in TILs, expression of CD25 and IFN-gamma at a relatively high percentage could be consistently detected in the UNPC biopsies. These data suggest that TILs in UNPC are in an activated status, and this T cell response is possibly directed at the tumour cells.

Antigens, CD↗

PubMed1999

Persistence of an [E1-, polymerase-] adenovirus vector despite transduction of a neoantigen into immune-competent mice.

The ability of a uniquely modified [E1-, polymerase-] adenovirus (Ad) vector to persist after the transduction of the bacterial beta-galactosidase gene into the livers of nontolerant, immune-competent adult mice was compared with an identical gene transfer attempt with an [E1-] Ad vector. After transduction, the E1-deleted vector was rapidly eliminated, but the modified vector persisted for at least 2 months (experiment duration). Modified vector persistence was also accompanied by prolonged transgene expression and decreased hepatotoxicity profiles. This result was in contrast to several reports suggesting that the transgene expressed by an Ad vector is the primary determinant of Ad vector elimination in vivo. Our results implied that the rapid immune clearance of Ad-transduced cells in vivo is codependent on the presence of two stimuli, or "hits." Hit 1 is due to Ad vector-derived gene expression while hit 2 is due to transgene immunogenicity. Attenuation of the first hit by the use of a significantly modified vector (such as the [E1-, polymerase-] Ad vector) allowed for extended persistence, despite the continued presence of the transgene-derived stimulus (hit 2). We discuss how the two-hit hypothesis is in fact congruent with a number of other reports that have analyzed Ad vector persistence in immune-competent animals. On the basis of our results, [E1-, polymerase-] Ad vectors should have broad benefits for use in human gene therapy situations in which the encoded transgene may be perceived as a neoantigen by the intact human immune system.

Adenoviridae↗

PubMed1999

Relationship of blood lead levels to personal hygiene habits in lead battery workers: Taiwan, 1991-1997.

BACKGROUND: The blood lead concentrations of workers in lead battery factories are more than 4 times higher than those of the general population in Taiwan. Therefore, efforts are needed to reduce lead exposure in this high-risk population. A health promotion program on personal habits that reduce lead exposure has been carried out in a lead battery factory since 1991. This study investigated the longitudinal relationship of workers' blood lead concentrations and personal hygiene habits from 1991 through 1997. METHODS: In each of the 7 years of the study, occupational physicians questioned workers regarding nine personal hygiene items, personal information, and medical history before their annual health examination. The relationship between blood lead concentrations and personal hygiene habits was analyzed by longitudinal multiple regression in a mixed effect model with adjustment for potential confounders. In addition, the risk ratio of a blood lead concentration exceeding 40 micrograms/dL in men and 30 micrograms/dL in women (the action levels set by the Department of Health, Taiwan) was estimated by generalized estimating equations. RESULTS: Blood lead levels decreased significantly in the first 5 years of the study. The personal habits most closely related to blood lead concentrations were smoking at work sites (estimated coefficient = 3.13, P < 0.001), and eating at work sites (estimated coefficient = 1.38, P = 0.069). The risk ratio for workers with both these habits exceeding the action level of blood lead was 2.93 (95% CI 1.27-6.77). Difference in job titles, however, accounted for a major portion of the variance in blood lead. For example, working in "pasting" and "plate-cutting" was associated with blood lead elevations > 20 micrograms/dL in comparison to the "low- or no-exposure jobs." CONCLUSIONS: Health promotion programs can decrease exposure of lead workers; reducing the practices of smoking and eating at work sites should be the core of such programs. However, a major reduction in lead exposure for some jobs (e.g., "pasting" and "plate cutting") in lead battery factories in Taiwan is unlikely to occur without major engineering changes.

Feeding Behavior↗

PubMed1999

Correlates of fitness for duty in hazardous materials firefighters.

BACKGROUND AND METHODS: From a statewide medical examination program, we identified firefighters who were deemed unfit for duty by attending physicians (ATTENDING FAIL, n=9) and those who would have been disqualified by the application of selected numerical criteria from the 1997 National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) guidelines (NFPA FAIL, n=27) and criteria from a Medical Workshop (WORK FAIL, n=16). The subjects who were unfit for duty or failed numerical criteria were compared with those who were fit for duty and passed all objective criteria (FIT group, n=302). All subjects were given an overall morbidity rating by a board certified internist. Comparisons on two surrogate measures of fitness, VO(2) max predicted and predicted coronary heart disease (CHD) risk, were also performed. RESULTS: We found a significant tendency towards worse results (e.g. higher blood pressure or lower spirometric function) among the three FAIL groups compared with the FIT group. The FAIL groups shared only a small overlap, however, with the firefighters with the highest morbidity ratings, lowest predicted VO(2) max, and highest CHD risks. Increasing morbidity was associated with higher age, lower spirometric function, lower predicted VO(2) max, increasing cholesterol, greater BMI, and higher predicted 10 year CHD risk. CONCLUSIONS: Although the presence of a single serious or poorly controlled condition may render an individual unfit for safe performance as a firefighter, examination of our cohort suggests that multiple risk factor models or overall clinical assessments are superior means of identifying firefighters with poor health status and increased CHD risk.

Adult↗

PubMed1999

Expression of the myosin heavy chain genes in the tail muscle of thyroid hormone-induced metamorphosing Rana catesbeiana tadpoles.

In tadpoles of the North American bullfrog, Rana catesbeiana, spontaneous and thyroid hormone (T3)-induced metamorphosis is characterized by regression of the tail, which is preceded by a decrease in total protein synthesis in tail tissues. We have demonstrated that thyroid hormone treatment of a tadpole does not affect the synthesis of all proteins equally in the tadpole tail muscle. For example, the synthesis of myosin heavy chains (MHCs) is depressed within 1 day and decreases to 45% of control values after 5 days of T3 treatment, whereas the decreased synthesis of soluble muscle proteins is transient and returns to above control levels by day 5. To determine whether the hormone-induced decrease in MHC synthesis is the result of changes in the transcription of translation of MHC mRNAs, we isolated cDNAs complementary to five different MHC mRNAs from a tail muscle cDNA library and used them to examine the levels of each MHC mRNA in the tail muscle of T3-treated tadpoles. mRNAs that recognize the cDNAs for these five different MHCs are all expressed in the tadpole tail and limb muscles, as well as in the adult leg muscles. MHC mRNAs unique to tadpole tail were not detected. Interestingly, the relative amounts of mRNA for four of the five MHCs increase in tail muscle after T3 treatment of the tadpole, suggesting that repression of MHC gene expression at the protein level does not result from a decrease in the amount of MHC mRNAs. Rather, these results support the contention that the decreased synthesis of MHCs in the tail muscle of T3-treated tadpoles is caused by this hormone, either directly or indirectly, depressing the translation of the MHC mRNAs in this tissue. These results, coupled with the observation that the synthesis of soluble muscle proteins is depressed only in a transient fashion, suggest that T3 may be initiating the expression of a gene(s) that encodes a protein(s) responsible for inhibiting the translation of the MHCs and, perhaps, other structural proteins in the tadpole tail muscle. Whatever the case, the translational regulation of MHC synthesis occurs well before any degradation of the tail tissue is evident and appears to be one of the earliest events in the hormone-induced cell death program of the tadpole tail muscle.

Amino Acid Sequence↗