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Biomedical subjects

J Hou

Publications and source records attributed to J Hou.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMed2000

A randomized controlled clinical trial on etimicin, a new aminoglycoside antibiotic, versus netilmicin in the treatment of bacterial infections.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the efficacy and safety of two aminoglycoside antibiotics, etimicin and netilmicin, in the treatment of bacterial infections. METHODS: A randomized, open label, controlled clinical trial was conducted for the treatment of 65 patients hospitalized with respiratory tract infections, urinary tract infections, and skin and tissue infections. Thirty-four patients received etimicin and thirty-one patients received netilmicin at a dose of 100 mg every 12 hours by intravenous infusion. The duration of treatment was 7-10 days in both groups. RESULTS: 47 patients were enrolled in the etimicin group; 35 patients were assessable for safety and 34 patients were assessable for efficacy, 46 patients were enrolled in the netilmicin group; 32 patients were assessable for safety and 31 patients were assessable for efficacy. The results show that overall efficacy was 85.3% for the etimicin group and 83.9% for the netilmicin group, whereas bacterial clearance rates were 87.5% for the etimicin group and 89.7% for the netilmicin group. The incidence of adverse reactions was 8.6% (3/35) and 9.4% (3/32), respectively. CONCLUSION: Etimicin and netilmicin were effective and safe for the treatment of respiratory tract infection, urinary tract infection, and skin and tissue infections. The results show there was no statistically significant difference between the two groups (P > 0.05).

Adolescent↗
PubMed2000

[Study on treatment of hyperandrogenism and hyperinsulinism in polycystic ovary syndrome with Chinese herbal formula "tiangui fang"].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the efficacy of Chinese herbal formula "Tiangui Fang" (TGF) in hyperandrogenism and hyperinsulinism patients of polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), and compare with western medicine metformin. METHODS: Twenty-two anti-clomiphen citrite patients were divided into two treatment groups: "Tiangui Fang" (n = 10) and metformin (n = 12) for three months. Insulin response during oral glucose tolerance test and serum level of LH, FSH, testosterone (T), estradiol (E2) and waist to hip ratio (WHR), body mass index (BMI) were measured before and after treatment. RESULTS: After treatment for three months with metformin or TGF, fasting and the integrated insulin response to the glucose load decreased. Treated by metformin 4 out of 8 patients had restoration of menstrual cyclicity and 2 of them had double phase bases body temperature (BBT). This was accompanied by lowering in serum logT/E2 but had no significant difference, the BMI, WHR and serum E2, LH:FSH ratio were not changed. Treated by TGF for three months, 6 out of 8 patients had restoration of menstrual cyclicity and double phase BBT. This was accompanied by significant lowering in serum T, logT/E2 and BMI (P < 0.05), serum LH:FSH ratio were not changed. CONCLUSION: Both metformin and TGF can reduce the high concentration of insulin in PCOS patients and induce ovulation, the herbal formula has a better efficacy.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2000

[B domain mutations in the polymerase gene of hepatitis B virus during combination therapy with thymosin alpha1 and famciclovir in Chinese asymptomatic HBV carriers].

OBJECTIVE: To identify 'B domain' mutations of polymerase gene and its relationship with drug resistance during treatment with famciclovir in Chinese chronic asymptomatic HBV carriers. METHODS: Sequential sera from 29 Chinese chronic HBeAg positive HBV carriers treated with combination therapy with thymosin alpha1 (Talpha1) plus famciclovir and also from 15 cases treated with Talpha1 alone, were studied. Nucleotide sequences encoding 'B' and 'C domain' of the HBV polymerase gene were determined by direct or cloning sequencing methods. RESULTS: Nine Talpha1 plus FCV-treated and none of the Talpha1 treated patients developed mutations in the 'B domain' of polymerase gene which could result in amino acid changes. The development of 'B domain' mutations, during treatment, was significantly associated with HBV DNA rebound in those who received Talpha1 plus FCV. CONCLUSIONS: Mutations in FCV-treated patients resulting in amino acid changes mainly cluster in the 'B domain' of polymerase gene rather than in YMDD motif. The presence of mutations is significantly associated with HBV DNA rebound during treatment.

2-Aminopurine↗
PubMed2000

[Expression of nm23 protein and estrogen receptor and prognosis of colorectal cancers].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the relationship between clinicobiological action and expression of nm23 protein and estrogen receptor (ER) for colorectal cancer. METHODS: The expression of nm23 protein and ER for 209 cases of colorectal cancer was detected by immunohistochemistry assay (LSAB). RESULTS: The expression of nm23 protein was correlated with that of ER for colorectal cancer (r = 0.5319, P < 0.01). The expression of nm23 protein and ER in colorectal cancers was not related with patient's age, sex, tumor position, pathological type, histological type, and Dukes stage (r < 0.4, P > 0.05). The expression was related with the prognosis of colorectal cancer (P < 0.01). The higher the expression of nm23 protein and/or ER the better the prognosis, whereas the less the expression of nm23 protein and/or ER the worse the prognosis. CONCLUSIONS: The abnormal expression of nm23 protein is correlated with the disturbance of estrogen metabolism in colorectal cancer. The detection of nm23 protein and ER is helpful for the diagnosis and prognostic evaluation of colorectal cancer.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

[Study on the modulation of the inflammatory response in mouse hepatic vasculitis with sodium selenite and vitamin E antioxidants].

OBJECTIVE: To identify the regulatory effect of sodium selenite and vitamin E on complement-neutrophil-reactive oxygen species (ROS)-activation feedback mechanism-mediated inflammatory response. METHODS: The modulation of inflammatory response through the complement-neutrophil-ROS-activation feedback cycle with sodium selenite and alpha-tocopherol was verified both in vitro tests by chemiluminescense technique and complement fixation to detect ROS production and complement activation as well as in vivo mouse hepatic vasculitis models to test for the regulation of the inflammatory response. RESULTS: Convincing results were observed as the incidence of hepatic vasculitis dropped from 100% in the control group down to 20% in the seleno-antioxidant vitamin E treated group, indicating down regulation of the inflammatory response. CONCLUSIONS: Elucidation of the mechanism of complement mediated inflammatory response is a promising area for new therapeutic developments in the modulation of inflammatory response. This study suggests that selenium, vitamin E and other antioxidants may be the useful therapeutic agents in those disorders in which upregulation of inflammatory response has been implicated, e.g. ischemia, reperfusion injury, severe sepsis, rheumatoid arthritis and hepatitis.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

[Modulation of the inflammatory response through complement-neutrophil activation feedback mechanism with selenium and vitamin E].

To identify the regulatory effect of sodium selenite and vitamin E on the complement-neutrophil-reactive oxygen(ROS) activation feedback (CNAF) mechanism mediated inflammatory response, we detected ROS production and complement activation in vitro tests by chemiluminescence technique and complement fixation and recognized the regulation of the inflammatory response in vivo mouse vasculitis models of skin, lung, and liver. Convincing results were observed as both in vitro and in vivo experiments showing inhibition of CNAF mechanism with sodium selenite and vitamin E could effect the reduced ROS production and complement activation. The incidence (100%) for vasculitis in control group decreased to 20%-57% in sodium selenite and vitamin E treated groups. Elucidation of the ancillary mechanism of CNAF enhancing inflammatory response is a promising area for new therapeutic developments in the modulation of inflammatory response. As in a clinical approach, a remarkable therapeutic effect with sodium selenite was observed during an epidemic episode of epidemic hemorrhagic fever in Henan province. The mortality rate of fulminant cases was reduced from 100% of untreated control cases to 36.6% by treatment with sodium selenite. The results of present studies strongly suggest that antioxidants such as selenium and vitamin E as well as others like flavonoids can exhibit a novel anti-inflammatory action via this CNAF mechanism. It is expected in the future an increasing number of patients with severe infections or inflammatory disorders in which excessive complement activation and adverse ROS production have been implicated, e. g. ischemia-reperfusion injury, severe sepsis and diverse inflammatory vascular injuries like rheumatoid arthritis, hepatitis and inflammatory bowel diseases should benefit from this newer concept guided adjuvant therapies which make use of nutrient antioxidants like selenium, vitamin E and others.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

Ecological study on the risks of esophageal cancer in Ci-Xian, China: the importance of nutritional status and the use of well water.

Our purpose was to determine the environmental risks in the development of esophageal cancer in Ci-Xian, which has one of the highest incidences of esophageal cancer in China. The subjects included 404, 352 and 400 inhabitants living in high-, medium-, and low-incidence areas of esophageal cancer, as well as 301 esophageal cancer patients. A food intake-frequency survey using a 7-day weighted inventory questionnaire was conducted on these individuals. Questions on occupation, working conditions, income per year, family disease history, medical complaints, and demographic features were also included in the questionnaire. The levels of nitrogen compounds in selected samples of well water were also measured in each of the 3 areas. Clear-cut differences in food intake were seen among inhabitants living in the 3 different areas, suggesting that regional differences in nutritional styles do exist. In both males and females, the intake of potatoes, fruit, vegetables, and meat were significantly lower in inhabitants living in the high-incidence area than in the other inhabitants, much the same as that of cancer patients. A low intake of carotene, and vitamins A and C was also seen in populations living in the high-incidence area of esophageal cancer. The well water polluted with nitrogen compounds was significantly related to the high incidence of esophageal cancer. In contrast, tobacco, alcohol consumption, and the intake of pickled vegetables and moldy foods did not relate to the different incidence rates. Our results suggest that low intake of fruit, vegetables, potatoes and meat, and the quality of well water may be important factors in the development of esophageal cancer in Ci-Xian.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

The antioxidant EPC-K1 attenuates NO-induced mitochondrial dysfunction, lipid peroxidation and apoptosis in cerebellar granule cells.

In this study we investigated the effects of nitric oxide (NO) on cultured cerebellar granule cells. Exposure to NO donors, S-nitrosoglutathione (GSNO; 250 microM) or sodium nitroprusside (SNP; 500 microM), triggered apoptosis in immature cultures of cerebellar granule cells, which was characterized by chromatin condensation, nuclei fragmentation, and DNA laddering. Exposure of cerebellar granule cells to NO donors led to a decrease in the mitochondrial transmembrane potential and intracellular ATP content, which suggested that NO treatment caused mitochondrial dysfunction. NO treatment also induced oxidative stress in cerebellar granule cells as measured by thiobarbituric acid (TBA) assay. Pretreating cells with L-ascorbic acid 2-[3,4-dihydro-2,5,7,8-tetramethyl-2-(4,8,12-trimethyltridecyl)-2H -1-benzopyran-6-yl-hydrogen phosphate] potassium salt (EPC-K1), a novel antioxidant, attenuated NO-induced mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress to some extent, and prevented the cells from apoptosis. The results of the present investigation suggest that a superoxide/peroxynitrite-mediated oxidative stress may be an important pathway leading to NO-associated neuronal damage. Pretreating cells with the antioxidant EPC-K1 attenuated NO-induced neurotoxicity by scavenging superoxide/peroxynitrite and/or its breakdown products.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

Antioxidant properties of EPC-K1: a study on mechanisms.

Scavenging effects of L-ascorbic acid 2-[3,4-dihydro-2,5,7,8- tetramethyl-2-(4,8,12-trimethytridecyl)-2H-1-benzopyran- 6-yl-hydrogen phosphate] potassium salt (EPC-K1) on hydroxyl radicals, alkyl radicals and lipid radicals were studied with ESR spin trapping techniques. The inhibition effects of EPC-K1 on lipid peroxidation were assessed by TBA assay. The kinetics of EPC-K1 reacting with hydroxyl radicals and linoleic acid radicals were studied by pulse radiolysis. The active site of EPC-K1 and the structure-antioxidative activity relationships were discussed. The superoxide radicals scavenging capacity of the brain homogenate of EPC-K1-treated rats was measured. The results revealed that in comparison with Trolox and vitamin C, EPC-K1 showed better overall antioxidative capacity in vitro and in vivo. EPC-K1 was a moderate scavenger on hydroxyl radicals and alkyl radicals, a potent scavenger on lipid radicals, and an effective inhibitor on lipid peroxidation. EPC-K1 could react with hydroxyl radicals with a rate constant of 7.1 x 10(8) dm3 mol-1 s-1 and react with linoleic acid radicals with a rate constant of 2.8 x 10(6) dm3 mol-1 s-1. The active site of EPC-K1 was the enolic hydroxyl group. After administration of EPC-K1, the ability of rat brain to scavenge superoxide radicals was significantly increased. The potent scavenging effects of EPC-K1 on both hydrophilic and hydrophobic radicals were relevant with its molecular structure, which consisted of both hydrophilic and hydrophobic groups.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

ESR study on the structure-antioxidant activity relationship of tea catechins and their epimers.

The purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between the free radical scavenging activities and the chemical structures of tea catechins ((-)-epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), (-)-epigallocatechin (EGC) and (-)-epicatechin (EC)) and their corresponding epimers ((-)-gallocatechin gallate (GCG), (-)-gallocatechin (GC) and (+)-catechin ((+)-C)). With electron spin resonance (ESR) we investigated their scavenging effects on superoxide anions (O-.2) generated in the irradiated riboflavin system, singlet oxygen(1O2) generated in the photoradiation-hemoporphyrin system, the free radicals generated from 2,2'-azobis(2-amidinopropane)hydrochloride (AAPH) and 1, 1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical. The results showed that the scavenging effects of galloylated catechins (EGCG and GCG) on the four free radicals were stronger than those of nongalloylated catechins (EGC, GC, EC, (+)-C), and the scavenging effects of EGC and GC were stronger than those of EC and (+)-C. Thus, it is suggested that the presence of the gallate group at the 3 position plays the most important role in their free radical-scavenging abilities and an additional insertion of the hydroxyl group at the 5' position in the B ring also contributes to their scavenging activities. Moreover, the corresponding phenoxyl radicals formed after the reaction with O-.2 were trapped by DMPO and the ESR spectra of DMPO/phenoxyl radical adducts were observed (aN=15.6 G and aHbeta=21.5 G). No significant differences were found between the scavenging effects of the catechins and their epimers when their concentrations were high. However, significant differences were observed at relatively low concentrations, and the lower their concentrations, the higher the differences. The scavenging abilities of GCG, GC and (+)-C were stronger than those of their corresponding epimers (EGCG, EGC and EC). The differences between their sterical structures played a more important role in their abilities to scavenge large free radicals, such as the free radicals generated from AAPH and the DPPH radical, than to scavenge small free radicals, such as O-.2 and 1O2, especially in the case with EGCG and GCG with more bulky steric hindrance.

Amidines↗
PubMed1999

Transcriptional regulation of the intercellular adhesion molecule-1 gene by proinflammatory cytokines in human astrocytes.

Intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) expression is upregulated by cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta), and interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) in numerous cell types including the astrocyte, which functions as an immunoregulatory cell within the central nervous system. We investigated the mechanism by which ICAM-1 is transcriptionally regulated by proinflammatory cytokines in human fetal astrocytes. TNF-alpha and IL-1beta enhanced ICAM-1 expression at both the mRNA and protein levels, while IFN-gamma had a modest enhancing effect. However, a synergistic response was noted when IFN-gamma was added with either TNF-alpha or IL-1beta. Using human ICAM-1 deletion constructs and linker scanning mutants, we determined that the NF-kappaB element (-186 bp region) is critical for both TNF-alpha- and IL-1beta-mediated ICAM-1 expression, while the IFN-gamma activation sequence (GAS) element at -75 bp region is important for IFN-gamma stimulation. The synergistic effect between TNF-alpha and IFN-gamma is dependent on both NF-kappaB and GAS elements. Upon TNF-alpha and IL-1beta stimulation, p65 homodimers and p65/p50 heterodimers bind to the NF-kappaB site, and STAT-1alpha homodimers bind to the GAS element upon IFN-gamma stimulation. Transient transfection assays demonstrated that overexpression of the p65 protein transactivated the promoter activity of an ICAM-1 reporter construct, while p50 overexpression inhibited, in a dose-dependent manner, p65-mediated ICAM-1 expression. These data collectively suggest that in human astrocytes, the p65 homodimer is responsible for ICAM-1 upregulation upon TNF-alpha or IL-1beta stimulation, and that IFN-gamma enhancement of ICAM-1 involves activation of STAT-1alpha homodimers.

Astrocytes↗
PubMed1999

Relation of JC virus DNA in the cerebrospinal fluid to survival in acquired immunodeficiency syndrome patients with biopsy-proven progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy.

The detection and semiquantitation of JC virus (JCV) DNA in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is prognostic of survival and is a marker of the course of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML). CSF samples from 15 acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) patients with biopsy-proven PML were analyzed by semiquantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR). A low JCV burden was predictive of longer survival compared with a high JCV burden (median survival from entry, 24 [2-63] vs 7.6 [4-17] weeks). Further analyses indicated a possible threshold of 50 to 100 copies/microl separating high- and moderate-risk cases. Patients with a JCV load below this level survived longer than those with a JCV load above it.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1999

Different effects of the constituents of EGb761 on apoptosis in rat cerebellar granule cells induced by hydroxyl radicals.

The present study was conducted to evaluate the different effects of the constituents of EGb761 (Ginkgo biloba Extract) on apoptosis in cerebellar granule cells induced by hydroxyl radicals. The total flavonoid component of EGb761, two pure EGb761 components (rutin and quercetin), and a mixture of flavonoids and terpenes protected cerebellar granule cells from oxidative damage and apoptosis induced by hydroxyl radicals. ESR(electron spin resonance) results showed that the IC50 of the flavonoids for scavenging hydroxyl radicals was almost the same as that of EGb761, even though flavonoids make up only 24% of EGb761, implying that other constituents of EGb761 besides flavonoids can scavenge hydroxyl radicals. Total terpenes of EGb761 did not protect against apoptosis. Flavonoids and terpenes did not show a synergistic effect in this regard. Terpenes did not scavenge hydroxyl radicals directly, which might be related to their "cage-like" structures.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

T1762/A1764 variants of the basal core promoter of hepatitis B virus; serological and clinical correlations in Chinese patients.

BACKGROUND: A double variant in the basal core promoter, converting nucleotide 1762 from A to T (T1762) and nucleotide 1764 from G to A (A[764), has been described in patients with chronic hepatitis B infection. Its prevalence and significance in Chinese chronic HBV carriers are unknown. METHODS: We studied 177 Chinese patients with chronic HBV infection (chronic hepatitis/asymptomatic: 89/88; hepatitis B e antigen positive/negative: 84/93). The double variant was detected by mismatched polymerase chain reaction and restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis. The reliability of this method was verified by sequencing in 41 serum samples with 100% matching. RESULTS: The double variant T1762/ A1764 was found in 52 of 89 patients with chronic hepatitis, but in only 6 of 59 asymptomatic carriers (p<0.001). The prevalence was significantly lower in hepatitis B e antigen positive patients (23/84) than in hepatitis B e antigen negative patients (35/64) (p<0.005). Precore variant, A1896 was detected in 40 individuals; 31 of them suffered from chronic hepatitis and 9 were asymptomatic (p<0.001). A combination of both variants T1762/A1764 and A1896 was seen in 3 of 59 asymptomatic and 22 of 89 patients with chronic hepatitis (p<0.005). CONCLUSIONS: Mismatched polymerase chain reaction with restriction fragment length polymorphism provides a reliable, easy and fast method for detection of the presence of the T1762/A1764 variant. In Chinese chronic hepatitis B carriers, T1762/A1764 variant was associated with both active liver disease and hepatitis B e antigen negativity.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Gender difference in cord serum ferritin concentrations.

We measured cord serum ferritin concentrations in a total of 255 infants (116 females and 139 males), and evaluated the association between these values and various neonatal as well as maternal characteristics. The mean ferritin concentration in females (166 +/- 110 microg/l) was significantly higher than that in male infants (123 +/- 77 microg/l). The gender differences in ferritin were significant within groups of infants with fetal growth restriction, those who weighed <3,000 g, those whose mothers were African Americans or <25 years old. Maternal serum ferritin concentrations at 36 weeks of gestation significantly correlated with cord serum ferritin of male infants (r = 0.32, p < 0.001), whereas the association was not significant for females (r = 0.09, p > 0.41). Although the mechanism of the gender difference is unknown, it may be important to consider the sex of neonates when evaluating their iron nutriture immediately after birth.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

[The therapeutic effect of ligustrazin and salvia miltiorrhiza on the gene expression of alpha1 (I) and alpha1 (III) procollagen in rat pulmonary fibrosis].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of ligustrazin and salvia miltiorrhiza on collagen gene expression in rat pulmonary fibrosis (PF). METHODS: The tested animals were divided into 7 groups: normal control, untreated animal groups (day 7, 14 and 29), Ligustrazin, Salvia Miltiorrhiza and hydrocortisone groups. Treatment was started from day 15 to day 28. HE stain and in situ hybridization with alpha(1) (I) and alpha(1) (III) procollagen (PC) cDNA probes were applied to rat lungs on day 29. The results were quantified by a feature analysor. RESULTS: All the three drugs were effective, ligustrazin the best (P < 0.01), salvia miltiorrhiza the second (P < 0.01). In untreated groups both alpha(1) (I) and alpha(1) (III) PC mRNA reached the maximum on day 7. Alpha(1) (I) PC mRNA still kept high on day 29 while alpha(1) (III) PC mRNA had decreased to normal. In ligustrazin group alpha(1) (I) PC mRNA decreased to normal (P > 0.05) but in salvia miltiorrhiza and hydrocortisone groups it was still above normal level (P < 0.01). In all groups alpha(1) (III) PC mRNA had decreased to normal on day 29. CONCLUSIONS: Inhibitive effect of ligustrazin on alpha(1) (I) PC mRNA may play an important role in treating PF. The effect of salvia miltiorrhiza is less than ligustrazin.

Animals↗