Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

H Lu

Publications and source records attributed to H Lu.

At least 361 records · Page 20Linked to original sources
PubMed1996

Genetic segregation analyses of serum IgG2 levels.

Summary : The aim of this study was to determine whether there was evidence for a genetic component in the immune response as measured by IgG2 levels. The study was motivated by our studies of early-onset periodontitis (EOP), a group of disorders characterized by rapid destruction of the supporting tissues of the teeth in otherwise healthy individuals. EOP has two subforms, localized juvenile periodontitis (LJP) and a generalized form (G-EOP). IgG2 levels are elevated in LJP but not G-EOP individuals; and African-American IgG2 levels are higher than Caucasian levels regardless of EOP status. IgG2 levels were determined in 123 EOP families and in 508 unrelated non-EOP control individuals. Segregation analysis under the regressive model approach of Bonney was used to analyze IgG2 levels for evidence of major locus segregation. After adjusting for LJP status, race, sex, and age, the best fitting model was an autosomal codominant major locus model (accounting for approximately 62% of the variance in IgG2), plus residual parent/offspring and spousal correlations. Smoking and GM23 are also known to affect IgG2 levels. If additional adjustments are made for smoking and GM23, the best-fitting model is still a codominant major locus but with no significant residual correlations.

Black People↗
PubMed1996

Melanin content and distribution in the surface corneocyte with skin phototypes.

An individual's sensitivity to sunlight is traditionally assessed by the Boston or Fitzpatrick classification of skin type. The ability to tan depends, to some degree, on the melanin content of the epidermis. In the study reported here, surface corneocytes in exposed skin and unexposed skin have been assessed using a surface stripping slide mounting technique and an Optomax V image analyser, with which the percentage of corneocyte area occupied by melanin granules has been taken as the melanin content index (MCI). There was a significantly different MCI between different skin types for both exposed (P < 0.0001) and unexposed (P < 0.0001) areas using the Kruskal-Wallis one-way ANOVA test. There was also a positive significant correlation between MCI and skin types II-VI in both exposed (r = 0.95, P < 0.001) and unexposed areas (r = 0.89, P < 0.005). Image analysis also demonstrated that the number of melanin granules in surface corneocytes was significantly higher in the exposed area compared with the unexposed area, for skin types II, III, IV, V and VI. Melanin cap-like structures were also observed in exposed corneocytes and heavily pigmented skin contained larger melanin particles than fairer skin. The results indicate that an individual's skin phototype and melanin content, assessed by image analysis, have a significant correlation.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Diurnal variation of intraocular pressure in normal and ocular hypertensive subjects of China.

This study evaluated the distribution of Intraocular pressure (IOP) levels in 67 normal and 59 ocular hypertensive (OHT) subjects during the day after placing control on all those factors that can affect IOP. The IOP was measured with the Goldmann applanation tonometer. All the subjects were examined according to standard protocols. Both in the normal and OHT subjects, the peak of mean IOP appeared in the morning when the subjects woke up and the trough of mean IOP occurred between 2 a.m. to 4 a.m. The mean diurnal variation were (mean +/- sem) 2.9 +/- 0.7 and 3.5 +/- 0.7 mmHg in the normal and in OHT subjects, respectively. Ninety-four percent of the normal subjects and sixty-eight percent of the OHT subjects exhibited a similar diurnal behaviour in both eyes. The IOP variation did not correlate with the variations of blood pressure. The diurnal variation of IOP, found in Chinese, is lower than in other nations. The clinical importance of findings that the peaks of IOP occur in the early morning, raised a serious question as to the necessity of extending the diurnal IOP curves beyond the usual working time (JPMA 46:171, 1996).

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Simultaneous bilateral total knee arthroplasty for rheumatoid arthritis.

OBJECTIVE: To study the result of one staged bilateral total knee arthroplasty (TKA) operation under epidural anesthesia on patients with severe rheumatoid arthritis (RA). METHODS: From April 1987 to December 1992, simultaneous bilateral TKA was performed on 45 patients (90 knees), including 41 patients with RA, 3 with juvenile RA, and 1 with Sjogren syndrome. The mean follow-up period was 63 months. RESULTS: Improved function and pain relief were noted in all patients. There were no wound healing problems. Thrombophlebitis was observed in few cases. Late infection rate was 5.6% (5 knees) and aseptic loosening was revised on 5 knees. CONCLUSIONS: Simultaneous bilateral TKA is not only a procedure of low cost, saving blood, reducing anesthesia risk, drugs' side effect and hospitalization, but also facilitates early rehabilitation. Except for late infection, there is no increase in complications.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

[Determination of serum free amino acids and ammonia in pregnant women with severe pregnancy induced hypertension].

OBJECTIVE: To determine the changes of serum free amino acids and ammonia in pregnant women with severe pregnancy induced hypertension (PIH) and to evaluate its significance. METHODS: 16 kinds of free amino acids and ammonia in maternal serum were measured by auto-amino acid-analyzor in 33 cases with severe PIH and 29 normal pregnancies. Haematocrit (HCT) and hemoglobin (Hb) in some of the samples were also determined. The correlation between HCT, Hb and the total free amino acid were studied. RESULTS: The group with PIH showed the following changes: amino acidemia and ammonemia; high aromatic amino acidemia; high threonine, arginine, glycine, cystine and glutamic acidemia. The level of glutamic acid was obviously higher in the eclampsia patients than that in the preeclampsia ones. There existed a negative correlation between the quantities of the total amino acid and HCT and Hb in PIH group. CONCLUSION: There were amino acidemia and ammonemia in PIH patients. The high levels of some amino acids might be related with the pathogenesis of hypertension and the cerebral symptoms.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

[Study of etiology on inpatients with diarrhea in Suixian county of east Henan].

To study the etiology of inpatients with diarrhoea, 372 inpatients with diarrhoea were studied in Suixian county in 1990. Three causative agents as diarrhoeagenic bacteria, rotavirus and diarrhoeagenic parasites were isolated. 12 kinds of diarrhoeal pathogens with 237 strains were isolated. The overall isolation rate was 63.71%, including diarrhoeagenic bacteria 44.35%, rotaviruses 12.1% and diarrhoeagenic parasites 7.26%. The main pathogens were Salmonella typhimurium and Rotavirus (44.3% and 18.9% of total pathogens isolated). Inpatients with diarrhoea between 0-1 years (67.1% of total pathogens isolated) had the highest rates. The isolation rates in the third quarter and the fourth quarter were not significantly higher than that of the others seasons. Analysis on epidemiological characteristics clinical diagnosis and infectious agents was also carried out.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1996

[Etiological investigation on diarrhoeal diseases in the rural area of Suixian county, Yu Dong plain in China].

To study the etiology of diarrhoeal diseases in the rural area, we carried out a study on diarrhoeal diseases in two natural villages. 15 kinds of diarrhoeal pathogens including 172 strains were isolated from 318 patients with diarrhoea making the isolation rate 49.37%; 12 kinds of diarrhoeal pathogens and 69 strains were isolated from 310 healthy controls and the isolation rate was 22.26%; 6 kinds of diarrhoeal pathogens and 44 strains were isolated in 405 samples obtained from the envronmenfal samples. The major pathogens isolated from various samples were ETEC (LT) and proteus, followed by Shigella, Rotavirus. Analysis on the pathogenetic agents and preventive measurements were also carried out.

China↗
PubMed1996

[Heel pain and calcaneal spurs].

The authors of this paper have reviewed 137 X-ray films of the involved feet and followed up 30 patients all of them suffering from heel pain treated in the authors' hospital during 1980-1985, in order to find out the relationship between the length, shape and the direction of the spurs with the heel pain. We have found: (1) There are no clear relationship between heel pain and the length, shape and the direction of the calcaneal spur. (2) The plantar soft tissue of the painful foot was thickened, indicating the heel pain was due to inflammation in the plantar soft tissue. (3) Heel pain is related to the patient's age and sex. (4) The spurs still exist and grow even bigger after the syndrome disappears.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

[Ankylosing spondylitis and heterogenity of HLA-B27 in Chinese].

HLA-B27 represents a family of closely related antigens. More than six alleles differing in limited number of nucleotide substitution had been described (B2701-B2706). We subtyped HLA-B27 in 76 patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and 1200 Chinese healthy persons of Han nationality. Polymerase chain reaction was designed to amplify specific regions for class I (exon 2 and 3). Amplified sequences were tested with eight sequence-specific oligonucleotides to distinguish all HLA-B27 subtypes. The results showed: the HLA-B27 was closely related with AS and at least four subtypes existed in Chinese patients. B2704 was the most common subtype occurring in 54.8% and 50.85% respectively in HLA-B27 positive AS patients and healthy controls. The main HLA-B27 subtypes in the HLA-B27 positive patients distributed in similar proportion to that of HLA-B27 positive healthy controls (P > 0.1). We believe that the above results imply that the prevalences of the various subtypes of HLA-B27 vary in different races. The HLA-B27 specific residues that are shared by the subtypes might be involved in the pathogenesis of AS.

Alleles↗
PubMed1995

[Study of infant hair specimens for trace element contents under different conditions of feeding].

The contents of 11 microelements (Cu, Zn, Fe, Mn, Ca, Mg, Al, P, Ba, Se, Sr) in breast milk of 53 postpartum feeding mothers and the hair specimen of 278 healthy infants with different feeding forms (breast feeding, milk and milk mixture) had been measured. The age of the infants was 72 days, the statistical analysis was shown that Zn value of infant hair specimen with breast feeding was significantly higher than the milk feeding (P < 0.01). Breast milk can provide enough Se for the infants. The dispensing milk and the dispensing milk powder were the satisfactory milk feeding substitute in the market now. The improved opinions were suggested.

Breast Feeding↗
PubMed1995

Purification and biologic characterization of plasma-derived megakaryocyte growth and development factor.

The isolation and cloning of the ligand for the cytokine receptor, Mpl, have been recently described. In this report we present details of the purification of this novel cytokine (megakaryocyte growth and development factor [MGDF]) from aplastic canine plasma. Two forms of canine MGDF, with apparent molecular weights of 25 kD and 31 kD and sharing a common N-terminal amino acid sequence, were isolated. The sole contaminant detected in purified 25-kD or 31-kD MGDF was canine Ig. Canine MGDF is characterized as a human megakaryocyte colony-stimulating factor that acts synergistically with human recombinant stem cell factor but not interleukin-3. MGDF also appears to be physiologically regulated in response to platelet demand. In canine and murine models, serum levels of MGDF activity peak during the thrombocytopenic periods after irradiation, 5-fluorouracil, or antiplatelet antisera injections. These data indicate that the megakaryocyte-stimulating activity that accumulates in plasma in response to platelet losses is a novel cytokine that functions through an interaction with the Mpl cytokine receptor.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1995

Human TAFII31 protein is a transcriptional coactivator of the p53 protein.

The p53 protein activates transcription of a target gene by binding to a specific DNA response element and interacting with the transcriptional apparatus of RNA polymerase II. The amino-terminal domain of p53 interacts with a component of the TFIID basal transcription complex. The human TATA-binding-protein-associated factor TAFII31, a component of TFIID, has been identified as a critical protein required for p53-mediated transcriptional activation. TAFII31 and p53 proteins bind to each other via amino acid residues in the amino-terminal domain of p53 that are essential for transcription. Antibodies directed against TAFII31 protein inhibit p53-activated but not basal transcription in vitro. These results demonstrate that TAFII31 is a coactivator for the p53 protein.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1995

3-Benzyl-5-phenyl-2-p-tolylthiophene.

The crystal structure of 3-benzyl-5-phenyl-2-p-tolylthiophene, C24H20S, is described. The thiophene ring in the title compound is planar and its structural properties are very similar to those of thiophene. The thiophene ring in compound (1) is planar as are the phenyl rings. The structure of the thiophene ring in compound (1) is very similar to that of thiophene (Bak, Christensen, Hansen-Nygaard & Rastrup-Andersen, 1961; Bak, Christensen, Rastrup-Andersen & Tannenbaum, 1956; Harshbarger & Bauer, 1970). The C-S distances are 1.735 (2) and 1.731 (2) A, respectively, and the C-S-C bond angle is 92.3 (1) degree. The steric repulsion between the p-tolyl ring at C(2) and the benzyl group at the adjacent carbon, C(3), is minimized by the rotation of the p-tolyl group 56.1 degrees from the thiophene plane. The benzene ring at C(5) deviates from the plane of the thiophene ring by 36.9 degrees. In 2,5-bis(4-nitro-phenyl)-3,4-diphenylthiophene (Meester, Maldar, Hosmane & Chu, 1986) the angle between the 4-H nitrophenyl and thiophene rings is 26.6 degrees. The angle between the phenyl and thiophene rings in 2-amino-4-methyl-5-phenylthiophene-3-carboxamide is 54.9 degrees (Joseph, Selladurai, Kannan & Parthasarathi, 1991).

Crystallography, X-Ray↗
PubMed1995

(1Z,3Z)-1,4-diphenyl-1,4-bis(p-tolylmethylthio)-1,3-butadiene.

The crystal structure of (1Z,3Z)-1,4-diphenyl-1,4-bis-(p-tolylmethylthio)-1,3-b utadiene (1), C32H30S2, is described. Compound (1) has an s-trans conformation. The single bond length, C(2)--C(2'), in compound (1) of 1.432 (5) A is shorter than the C(3)--C(4) single bond (1.48 A) in 1,3-butadiene and the double-bond length, C(1)--C(2), of 1.350 (3) A in compound (1) is comparable to that in 1,3-butadiene (1.34 A). The short C--C single and double bonds in (1) may be attributed to delocalization (resonance) over the planar four-atom unit, hybridization changes, the presence of the S atoms, and/or other factors.

Butadienes↗
PubMed1995

The effect of platelets on invasiveness and protease production of human mammary tumor cells.

Interaction of tumor cells with platelets facilitates metastasis of tumor cells. It has been proposed that platelets protect tumor cells against the host's immune defense and enhance tumor-cell extravasation. In the present work we show that platelets increase the invasiveness of 3 mammalian cell lines (MCF-7, ZR-51 and MDA-MB231) through extracellular matrix, and propose this as an additional mechanism by which platelets facilitate metastasis. Since gelatinase and urokinase have both been implicated in degradation of the extracellular matrix and cell migration, and therefore in tumor invasion, we have also analyzed whether the interaction of platelets with tumor cells can modify the secretion of these proteases by tumor cells. MDA-MB231, which was the most invasive cell line among the 3 tested and was the most potent in inducing platelet aggregation, secreted the highest level of urokinase and was the only one in which gelatinase was detected. While platelets had no significant effect on the urokinase activity expressed by these cells, they induced in MDA-MB231 an important increase in the secretion of gelatinase, which can be reproduced by both platelet membrane and platelet releasate of activated platelets. This increase in gelatinase could be responsible, at least in part, for the increased invasiveness of these cells, since added TIMP-1 significantly reduced the number of cells which traversed matrigel.

Blood Platelets↗