Biomedical subjects

H Shu

Publications and source records attributed to H Shu.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

PubMed1999

A study on the methods for early serological diagnosis of leprosy and their potential use.

This is a serial study. In this series we have established 12 methods for the early serological diagnosis of leprosy, including the FLA-ABS test, ELISAs with artificial products (ND-O-, ND-P-, NT-O-, NT-P-BSA; PGL-I, whole M. leprae and M. smegmatis), monoclonal antibody specific binding assay (McAb/SBA), latex agglutination test (LAT), and MLPA. These methods were compared with each other on a large scale in leprosy patients and in the field. The results indicate that 1) Excellent results were obtained when ELISAs were conducted with skim milk or egg albumin as the blocking agent and by using blood from earlobes instead of from venipuncture. 2) According to the four "S" standard (sensitivity, specificity, simplicity and speed), among the 12 methods the ND-O-BSA-ELISA (ND-ELISA) is the best and the MLPA is more suitable for use in the field because it is simple and rapid. 3) In the ND-ELISA, the increase or decrease of the OD value has a positive correlation with the BI, and the order of positive rates was a) in various types of leprosy: LL > BL > BB > BT > TT; b) in household contacts (HC), random population (RP), normal controls in endemic areas (ENC) and normal controls in nonendemic areas (NNC): HC > RP > ENC > NNC. 4) In a population with subclinical M. leprae infection, the highest risk group was between the ages of 15 and 25 and had an increase or a persistence of high OD values prior to onset of disease. 5) OD values gradually decreased over time following treatment and these declines paralleled declines in the BI. 6) In cases cured with dapsone therapy, there was an increase or a persistence of high OD values in ND-ELISA prior to the onset of a leprosy relapse. In conclusion, we have compared and evaluated 12 immuno-assays and have shown that the ND-ELISA is the most practical one for use in investigating sero-immunological epidemiology, subclinical infection with M. leprae, early detection of disease, monitoring of antimicrobial therapy, and even for the prediction of leprosy relapse.

Antibodies, Bacterial↗

PubMed1999

[Effect of OFQ injection into intracerebroventricular and preoptic area on blood pressure and heart rate in rats].

Orphanin FQ (OFQ) is a novel peptide comprised of an amino acid sequence very similar to that of dynorphin A. In the present investigation the effect of OFQ on cardiovascular activities was studied. Introcerebroventricular (icv) injection of OFQ at doses of 1 and 10 micrograms produced significant decrease in heart rate (HR) and mean arterial pressure (MAP). Icv pretreatment with naloxone could not prevent the hypotensive and bradycardial response produced by 1 microgram OFQ. Injection of 1 microgram OFQ preoptic area (POA) also caused a profound decrease of MAP and HR. These results indicate that OFQ can inhibit cardiovascular activities which are not mediated by mu, delta and kappa receptors. POA may be one of the target areas of these inhibitory effects.

Animals↗

PubMed1999

[The rebound of nasal resistance after decongestant used in nose].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of decongestant on nasal resistance so as to provide theories for studing rhinitis medicamentosa. METHOD: The changes of nasal blockage in 92 cases of acute rhinitis and chronic rhinitis after using decongestants were recorded, and the nasal resistance in 39 cases were measured by active anterior rhinomanometry. RESULT: According to the diseases and decongestants used, the percentage of nasal resistance rebound were 63.5%, 31.2%, 32.2%, 8.6% in 4 groups of investigated patients and 50%, 20%, 75% in 3 groups of measured patients respectively. CONCLUSION: Decongestants can cause the rebound of nasal resistance, which related to the diseases and the decongestants used. The mechanism may be that the factors dilating the vasa in nasal mucosa are activated.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1999

[Excretion ratio of lactulose and mannitol as intestinal permeability index in healthy Chinese volunteers].

OBJECTIVE: To determine lactulose (L)/mannitol (M) excretion ratio with high pressure liquid chromatograph with pulsed electrochemical detection (HPLC-PED) in healthy Chinese volunteers. METHODS: Sixty healthy Chinese volunteers enrolled. For each volunteer the L/M permeability study was performed twice by two different doses, as small dose (1 g mannitol and 2 g lactulose) and regular dose (5 g mannitol and 10 g lactulose). The urine were collected during 6 hours after ingestion of the test solution. The M and L concentrations were analyzed by HPLC with pulsed electrochemical detection. RESULTS: The L/M ratio was 0.026 +/- 0.006 in the small doses tests, and 0.036 +/- 0.008 in the large doses tests. CONCLUSIONS: With HPLC-PED detection, a low doses of lactulose and mannitol can be used to study intestinal permeability. Determination of the L/M ratio may be a way of evaluating intestinal barrier function in clinical practice.

Adult↗

PubMed1998

Insulin-like growth factor binding proteins localize to discrete cell culture compartments in periosteal and osteoblast cultures from fetal rat bone.

Insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-I and IGF-II are expressed at biologically effective levels by bone cells. Their stability and activity are modulated by coexpression of IGF binding proteins (IGFBPs). Secreted IGFBPs may partition to soluble, cell-associated, and matrix-bound compartments. Extracellular localization may sequester, store, or present IGFs to appropriate receptors. Of the six IGFBPs known, rat osteoblasts synthesize all but IGFBP-1. Of these, IGFBP-3, -4, and -5 mRNAs are induced by an increase in cAMP. Little is known about extracellular IGFBP localization in bone and nothing about IGFBP expression by nonosteoblastic periosteal bone cells. We compared basal IGFBP expression in periosteal and osteoblast bone cell cultures and assessed the effects of changes in cAMP-dependent protein kinase A or protein kinase C. Basal IGFBP gene expression differed principally in that more IGFBP-2 and -5 occurred in osteoblast cultures, and more IGFBP-3 and -6 occurred in periosteal cultures. An increase in cAMP enhanced IGFBP-3, -4, and -5 mRNAand accordingly increased soluble IGFBP-3, -4, and -5 and matrix-bound IGFBP-3 and -5 in both bone cell populations. In contrast, protein kinase C activators suppressed IGFBP-5 mRNA, and its basal protein levels remained very low. We also detected low Mr bands reactive with antisera to IGFBP-2, -3, and -5, suggesting proteolytic processing or degradation. Our studies reveal that various bone cell populations secrete and bind IGFBPs in selective ways. Importantly, inhibitory IGFBP-4 does not significantly accumulate in cell-associated compartments, even though its secretion is enhanced by cAMP. Because IGFBPs bind IGFs less tightly in cell-bound compartments, they may prolong anabolic effects by agents that increase bone cell cAMP.

Animals↗

PubMed1998

Three-dimensional optimization of treatment planning for gamma unit treatment system.

During a treatment using the Leksell gamma unit, the physician and physicist need to determine a treatment plan by changing the parameters such as collimator sizes, the position of isocenters and isocenters' weights. This is a complex problem because the set of parameters is large, especially when targets are geometrically close to a critical structure. For this reason, we present here an optimization algorithm, namely the multiplier penalty method, to mathematically determine those parameters. Two cases are presented in this article: the first one is really planned by a physicist in a clinical treatment, and is redone in our optimization algorithm to show the effectiveness of this method; the second one is theoretical where a critical structure is placed close to the target volume. The results show that this method achieves an excellent conformation to the specified isodose curve with the contour of the target volume, allowing minimal damage to surrounding healthy tissue.

Algorithms↗

PubMed1998

[Ultrasonographic rating score in evaluation of pathological severity and timing of operation for acute cholecystitis].

A rating score of ultrasonography to evaluate the pathological severity and timing of operative intervention of acute cholecystitis was designed. The ultrasonic rating score consisted of 7 items with were sensitive and specific in diagnosis of acute cholecystitis, accorded with the findings during operation. Emergency cholecystomies performed on patients with score < or = 10, 11-18 and > 18 points were 1/30, 4/42 and 7/13 respectively, followed by definite procedures. The results suggest that the ultrasonographic rating score is an useful approach in ultrasound diagnoses and timing of operation for acute cholecystitis.

Acute Disease↗

PubMed1997

Clinical treatment planning optimization by Powell's method for gamma unit treatment system.

PURPOSE: This article presents a new optimization method for stereotactic radiosurgery treatment planning for gamma unit treatment system. METHODS AND MATERIALS: The gamma unit has been utilized in stereotactic radiosurgery for about 30 years, but the usual procedure for a physician-physicist team to design a treatment plan is a trial-and-error approach. Isodose curves are viewed on two-dimensional computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance (MR) image planes, which is not only time consuming but also seldom achieves the optimal treatment plan, especially when the isocenter weights are regarded. We developed a treatment-planning system on a computer workstation in which Powell's optimization method is realized. The optimization process starts with the initial parameters (the number of isocenters as well as corresponding 3D isocenters' coordinates, collimator sizes, and weight factors) roughly determined by the physician-physicist team. The objective function can be changed to consider protection of sensitive tissues. RESULTS: We use the plan parameters given by a well-trained physician-physicist team, or ones that the author give roughly as the initial parameters for the optimization procedure. Dosimetric results of optimization show a better high dose-volume conformation to the target volume compared to the doctor's plan. CONCLUSION: This method converges quickly and is not sensitive to the initial parameters. It achieves an excellent conformation of the estimated isodose curves with the contours of the target volume. If the initial parameters are varied, there will be a little difference in parameters' configuration, but the dosimetric results proved almost to be the same.

Algorithms↗

PubMed1997

17beta-estradiol potently suppresses cAMP-induced insulin-like growth factor-I gene activation in primary rat osteoblast cultures.

Insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) is a key factor in bone remodeling. In osteoblasts, IGF-I synthesis is enhanced by parathyroid hormone and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) through cAMP-activated protein kinase. In rats, estrogen loss after ovariectomy leads to a rise in serum IGF-I and an increase in bone remodeling, both of which are reversed by estrogen treatment. To examine estrogen-dependent regulation of IGF-I expression at the molecular level, primary fetal rat osteoblasts were co-transfected with the estrogen receptor (hER, to ensure active ER expression), and luciferase reporter plasmids controlled by promoter 1 of the rat IGF-I gene (IGF-I P1), used exclusively in these cells. As reported, 1 microM PGE2 increased IGF-I P1 activity by 5-fold. 17beta-Estradiol alone had no effect, but dose-dependently suppressed the stimulatory effect of PGE2 by up to 90% (ED50 approximately 0.1 nM). This occurred within 3 h, persisted for at least 16 h, required ER, and appeared specific, since 17alpha-estradiol was 100-300-fold less effective. By contrast, 17beta-estradiol stimulated estrogen response element (ERE)-dependent reporter expression by up to 10-fold. 17beta-Estradiol also suppressed an IGF-I P1 construct retaining only minimal promoter sequence required for cAMP-dependent gene activation, but did not affect the 60-fold increase in cAMP induced by PGE2. There is no consensus ERE in rat IGF-I P1, suggesting novel downstream interactions in the cAMP pathway that normally enhances IGF-I expression in skeletal cells. To explore this, nuclear extract from osteoblasts expressing hER were examined by electrophoretic mobility shift assay using the atypical cAMP response element in IGF-I P1. Estrogen alone did not cause DNA-protein binding, while PGE2 induced a characteristic gel shift complex. Co-treatment with both hormones caused a gel shift greatly diminished in intensity, consistent with their combined effects on IGF-I promoter activity. Nonetheless, hER did not bind IGF-I cAMP response element or any adjacent sequences. These results provide new molecular evidence that estrogen may temper the biological effects of hormones acting through cAMP to regulate skeletal IGF-I expression and activity.

Animals↗

PubMed1997

Effect of "jia wei fo shou san" on erythrocyte membrane calcium, zinc concentration in pregnant rats with asymmetrical intrauterine growth retardation induced by passive smoking.

Using experimental model of pregnant rats with asymmetrical intrauterine fetal growth retardation induced by passive smoking, the effects of natural herb "Jia Wei Fo Shou San" on erythrocyte membrane calcium, zinc concentration were observed by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The results showed that the mean fetal birth weight, zinc concentration of erythrocyte membrane were found to be decreased in the model group as compared with the control group (P < 0.01, P < 0.01). On the other hand, the element of calcium onto erythrocyte membrane were higher in model group than that in control group (P < 0.05). These changes were significantly mild in the treated group and were similar to those of the control group (P > 0.05). Furthermore, our findings indicated that the zinc concentration of erythrocyte membrane seems to be positively correlated with the birth weight (P < 0.01). Calcium composition of red cell membrane showed a significant negative relation to the birth weight (P > 0.05). Our results provided an experimental evidence that normal concentrations of calcium and zinc onto erythrocyte play an important part in fetal growth. One of the mechanisms of "Jia Wei Fo Shou San" in improving fetal growth may have something to do with modulation of erythrocyte calcium, zinc element, thereby protecting bio-functions of erythrocyte and promoting blood circulation.

Animals↗

PubMed1997

Effect of egg size and strain and age of hens on the solids content of chicken eggs.

A study was conducted to determine the effect of egg size and the age and strain of hens on the content of egg solids. Eggs were obtained from commercial farms from four strains of hens with similar age groups and received diets formulated to contain the same dietary energy and protein levels across the strains within a farm. Eggs were collected on 2 different d when the flocks reached the average ages of 28, 55, 75, and 97 wk. The eggs collected form each farm were pooled and sorted by size. Each individual egg was used as a replicate for yolk:white ratio; however, five yolks, five whites, and five whole eggs from each strain at each age period were pooled, homogenized, and then used as a replicate to determine the solids contents of yolk, white, and whole eggs. The yolk:white ratio of eggs from 28-wk-old hens was the lowest, that from 55- and 78-wk-old hens was the highest, and that from 97-wk-old hens was intermediate; however, the solids content (percentage) of whole eggs increased with the age of the hens. The solids content of egg white was highest in eggs from 28-wk-old hens. The white solids content of extra large eggs was greater than that of medium eggs, and yolk solids increased with egg size; however, the solids of whole egg were not affected by egg size. The strain of hens had a significant effect on the solids of whole egg, white, and yolk; however, the strain effect on yolk:white ratio was not significant. The results showed that young (28-wk-old) and old birds (97-wk-old) produced eggs with low solids content and intermediate aged hens (55- to 78-wk-old) produced eggs with high solids content. Therefore, it may be more beneficial for egg producers and processors to use young (28-wk-old) and old birds (97-wk-old) for table egg production and birds of intermediate age (55- to 78-wk-old) for liquid egg production.

Aging↗

PubMed1997

[Effect of recombinant growth hormone on amino acids metabolism in blood and urine after major operation].

To determine the effects of recombinant human growth hormone (GH) on postoperative amino acids metabolism, we performed a placebo-controlled randomized double-blind trial in 18 patients after elective gastrectomy or colectomy. The same amount of calories and amino acids were administered. Research group was daily injected growth hormone 0.15 IU/(kg.day) and control group was given placebo during the first postoperative week. All urine were analyzed for nitrogen balance and excretion of 3-methylhistidine. On the seventh postoperative day while the parenteral nutrients were being infused, amino acid exchange across the forearm was measured. On the seventh postoperative day all patients' amino acids in plasma were slightly increased by comparing with preoperative day but was not statistical significance. Forearm arterial-venous difference (A-V) measured on POD + 7 was markedly different between groups. There was continued release of amino acids from the forearm in the control subjects, while there was marked amino acid uptake in the GH patients (total amino acid nitrogen exchange was -398 +/- 158 mumol/L vs +165 +/- 61 mumol/L, P < 0.01). Excretion of urinary 3-methylhistidine in control group loss more than in GH group (7.3 +/- 1.0 mumol/(kg.24 h) vs 4.4 +/- 0.3 mumol/(kg.24 h), P < 0.05). The results demonstrated that GH can increase the uptake of amino acid from forearm and decrease the excreation of 3-methylhistidine in urine after operation, but did not disturb the balance of amino acids in plasma.

Amino Acids, Branched-Chain↗

PubMed1996

Identification of the cAMP response element that controls transcriptional activation of the insulin-like growth factor-I gene by prostaglandin E2 in osteoblasts.

Insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I), a multifunctional growth factor, plays a key role in skeletal growth and can enhance bone cell replication and differentiation. We previously showed that prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and other agents that increase cAMP activated IGF-I gene transcription in primary rat osteoblast cultures through promoter 1 (P1), the major IGF-I promoter, and found that transcriptional induction was mediated by protein kinase A. We now have identified a short segment of P1 that is essential for full hormonal regulation and have characterized inducible DNA-protein interactions involving this site. Transient transfections of IGF-I P1 reporter genes into primary rat osteoblasts showed that the 328-base pair untranslated region of exon 1 was required for a full 5.3-fold response to PGE2; mutation in a previously footprinted site, HS3D (base pairs +193 to +215), reduced induction by 65%. PGE2 stimulated nuclear protein binding to HS3D. Binding, as determined by gel mobility shift assay, was not seen in nuclear extracts from untreated osteoblast cultures, was detected within 2 h of PGE2 treatment, and was maximal by 4 h. This DNA-protein interaction was not observed in cytoplasmic extracts from PGE2-treated cultures, indicating nuclear localization of the protein kinase A-activated factor(s). Activation of this factor was not blocked by cycloheximide (Chx), and Chx did not impair stimulation of IGF-I gene expression by PGE2. In contrast, binding to a consensus cAMP response element (CRE; 5'-TGACGTCA-3') from the rat somatostatin gene was not modulated by PGE2 or Chx. Competition gel mobility shift analysis using mutated DNA probes identified 5'-CGCAATCG-3' as the minimal sequence needed for inducible binding. All modified IGF-I P1 promoterreporter genes with mutations within this CRE sequence also showed a diminished functional response to PGE2. These results identify the CRE within the 5'-untranslated region of IGF-I exon 1 that is required for hormonal activation of IGF-I gene transcription by cAMP in osteoblasts.

Animals↗

PubMed1996

Effect of huoxuequyu recipe on erythrocyte ultrastructure and membrane ATPase activity in rats with passive smoking.

The effect of "Huoxuequyu" recipe on erythrocyte membrane Ca(2+)-ATPase activity, Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase activity and erythrocyte ultrastructure in rats exposed to passive smoking were observed. The erythrocyte membrane Ca(2+)-ATPase activity and Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase activity were found to be decreased in the model group as compared with the control group (P < 0.01, P < 0.01), while no significant difference existed between the treated group and the control group (P > 0.05). Our results also showed that there were more deformed red blood cells in model group than in control group under TCM and SEM (P < 0.0001). No significant difference was found between control group and treated group (P > 0.05). Furthermore, these findings indicated that "Huoxuequyu" recipe, a prepared natural herbal medicine, may be involved in modulation of the activity of erythrocyte membrane enzymes, thereby protecting erythrocyte membrane, so as to improve the erythrocyte function.

Adult↗

PubMed1996

Maize simple repetitive DNA sequences: abundance and allele variation.

Microsatellites or simple sequence repeats, first demonstrated in human and other mammalian genomes, are being identified in many plant species. A database survey of 576 maize sequences from the GenBank and EMBL databases was made to determine the abundance of maize microsatellites. Two hundred potential microsatellites were identified. The relative abundance of the different repetitive motifs varied considerably and all possible dinucleotide and trinucleotide motif types were found. The three most abundant classes of microsatellites identified in this search were (AG/CT)n, (CCT/GGA)n, and (CCG/GGC)n repeats. Allelic variation was surveyed with 9 maize inbred lines representing diverse pedigrees. Amplification of DNA from these lines and analysis using high resolution agarose gels showed that 69 of the 200 potential microsatellites were polymorphic and yielded 2-4 alleles. A more complete screen of these loci against a wider array of maize germplasm using denaturing sequencing gels is now being conducted to more thoroughly evaluate these loci.

Alleles↗

PubMed1995

A minor tyrosine phosphorylation site located within the CAIN domain plays a critical role in regulating tissue-specific transformation by erbB kinase.

Avian c-erbB encodes a protein that is homologous to the human epidermal growth factor receptor. Truncation of the amino-terminal, ligand-binding domain of this receptor results in an oncogene product which is a potent inducing agent for erythroleukemias but not fibrosarcomas in chickens. Here we show that mutation of a single tyrosine residue, p5, in the carboxyl terminus of the erbB oncogene product allows it to become sarcomagenic in vivo and to transform fibroblasts in vitro. Mutations of other autophosphorylation sites do not generate comparable effects. The increased transforming activity of the p5 mutant is accompanied by an elevated level of mitogen-activated protein kinase phosphorylation. By analogy to the human epidermal growth factor receptor, p5 is a minor autophosphorylation site and is located in a domain known to be involved in regulating calcium influx and receptor internalization (CAIN domain). This area of the erbB product has been found to be repeatedly deleted in various sarcomagenic avian erythroblastosis virus isolates. We precisely deleted the CAIN domain and also made point mutations of the acidic residues within the CAIN domain. In both cases, fibroblast-transforming potential is activated. We interpret these data to mean that p5 and its surrounding region negatively regulate fibroblast-transforming and sarcomagenic potential. To our knowledge, this represents the first point mutation of an autophosphorylation site that activates erbB oncogenicity.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed1995

The expression of P-glycoprotein in canine lymphoma and its association with multidrug resistance.

Canine lymphoma is a spontaneous, naturally occurring disease that is a model for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma in humans. Chemotherapy with antineoplastics results in a high rate of remission; however, relapse and clinical drug resistance are usually seen within 8-10 months. The P-glycoprotein product of the mdr gene is thought to function as an ATP-driven membrane drug efflux pump and appears to play an important role in tumor cell resistance. To assess the role of mdr gene products in drug resistance in canine lymphoma, membrane preparations of lymphoma cells from 31 dogs with high- or intermediate-grade lymphoma were subjected to Western blotting for detection of P-glycoprotein. In this study, one of 30 samples taken from dogs prior to receiving chemotherapy expressed detectable levels of P-glycoprotein. P-glycoprotein was also detected in biopsy samples from 3 of 8 dogs that had become resistant to chemotherapy. This pattern of expression is similar to that in human non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. These studies suggest that canine lymphoma is a useful model for studying multidrug resistance.

ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Mem↗

PubMed1995

Demonstration of in vitro cultured exoerythrocytic schizonts and hypnozoites of Plasmodium vivax (southern China isolate) by an immunoperoxidase antibody technique.

By indirect immunoperoxidase staining, different forms of exoerythrocytic (EE) stage of Plasmodium vivax (Southern China isolates) are revealed in d8 cultured material. The mature schizonts are elongated in shape measuring 42-48 microns in diameter, immature schizonts 14-28 microns and hypnozoites 4-7 microns. EE schizonts are stained dark-brown only after conjugated by monoclonal antibody (McAb) 4B2 specific against erythrocytic stages of P. vivax while hypnozoites are only stained after conjugated by McAb 2F2 against sporozoite. These results show that the antigenic components of these two forms of EE plasmodia are quite different. The ratio of EE schizont and hypnozoite found within hepatoma cells (HepG2-A16) is 1.5 to 1. Referred to the clinical manifestations of the isolate, among 5 volunteers not radically cured, two had long incubation period (283 d and 304 d, respectively) and three relapsed 235, 260 and 365 days after the primary attack. These data are unanimous with the comparatively large ratio of hypnozoites in the cultured material.

Animals↗