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Biomedical subjects

J X Wang

Publications and source records attributed to J X Wang.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1992

Ecology and prevention of a shellfish-associated hepatitis A epidemic in Shanghai, China.

During a shellfish-borne hepatitis A outbreak in Shanghai during the first quarter of 1988, 300,000 cases were reported in two months. Using cell culture and experimental infection of marmosets, hepatitis A virus (HAV) was isolated from clams collected from the market and the sea bed during the epidemic. A dose-response curve correlating the quantity of clams consumed to the attack rate of hepatitis A was well documented. The occurrence of the epidemic was associated with a good harvest of clams in a new area, serious pollution of this area with sewage and importation of the clams in large quantities into Shanghai where most young adults were susceptible. Clams can apparently be decontaminated by using a continuous water flow. In this way, HAV titres can be reduced by 90% in one day and by 99.9% in two weeks. An attenuated live HAV vaccine which has been developed in China has been shown to be safe and immunogenic and may be used for prevention of such epidemics in the future.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1992

Co-ordinating geriatric and general medical services; experience of a geriatric assessment ward in the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh.

The paper describes the work of an assessment unit setup to provide a service for frail elderly patients admitted to general medical units at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh during the period of April 1989 to March 1990. Patients were selected on the basis of diagnosis, mental and physical function, age and social background and transferred to the assessment ward within 24 hours of admission to a medical ward. Most of the 376 patients admitted to the ward had a high level of multiple pathology and physical incapacity and a third had an acute confusional state. The mean length of stay was 19.4 days. There was a 13% mortality with 71% of survivors returning to their own homes. Review of mobility and self care capacity of the group revealed a striking increase in function during their stay in the ward. Factors increasing the likelihood of discharge included having a spouse, receiving support at home, having a low initial dependence rating. Adverse factors included having cerebrovascular disease, having dementia and initial maintenance of urine and faeces.

Activities of Daily Living↗
PubMed1992

[A study on the location of immuno-suppressive factor(s) in restraint rats and mice].

A serum lymphocyte-proliferation suppressive factor(s) induced by restraint stress over 10 h was found in previous studies in both rats and mice. The present study was undertaken to investigate the sites of its production. The results show that large doses of irradiation and cyclophosphamide (CY) decreased the total number of splenic nucleated cells, but the production of the suppressive factor was inhibited only by irradiation. This indicates that the drop in total number of lymphocytes does not play any key role in the production of the serum suppressive factor. Cell classification showed that the ratio of T to B cell was decreased by radiation but increased by CY, suggesting that this ratio may be relevant to the production of the factor. Inhibition of the production was also observed in nude mouse (an animal showing a lack of T cell activity), again supporting that T cells are involved in the production of the inhibitory factor.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

Discordant gene and surface expression of the T-cell receptor/CD3 complex in adult T-cell leukemia cells.

Cell surface expression of the T-cell receptor (TCR)/CD3 complex on the cells from 11 acute type adult T-cell leukemia (ATL) and 4 lymphoma type ATL patients was examined by flow cytometry. Cells from 10 of 11 acute ATL patients were TCR alpha beta+ and CD3+, and their mean fluorescence intensities were low (TCR alpha beta, 25.3-84.6; CD3, 22.8-87.8). Cells from two of four lymphoma type ATL did not express this complex, and the other two were CD3+, TCR alpha beta-. In contrast, the mean fluorescence intensity of the TCR/CD3 complex in cells from a patient with T4 chronic lymphocytic leukemia was not low (TCR alpha beta, 129.9; CD3, 117.1). mRNA expressions of the TCR alpha, beta, and CD3 gamma, delta, epsilon, and zeta chains were examined by Northern blots. ATL cells from two acute and two lymphoma types expressed amounts of this complex equal to or greater than those expressed by T4 chronic lymphocytic leukemia. CD3 delta and TCR beta mRNA in ATL and T4 chronic lymphocytic leukemia cells were equally stable to actinomycin D treatment. The synthesis of CD3 zeta protein by ATL cells was detected by Western blotting assay. On the basis of these findings, we discuss the possible involvement of the TCR/CD3 complex in activation of ATL cells.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

A serologically confirmed, case-control study, of a large outbreak of hepatitis A in China, associated with consumption of clams.

A matched and serologically confirmed case-control study was carried out to investigate the source of an outbreak of acute hepatitis involving 290,000 cases in the suburbs of Shanghai, in January 1988. A total of 132 patients with acute hepatitis from six different hospitals were chosen as cases and the same number of control patients without hepatitis were matched for gender, age, admission date and area of residence. Serum specimens from both case and control patients were detected for specific anti-hepatitis A (HA) IgM antibody and a questionnaire was used to investigate probable risk factors related to the outbreak. The positive rate of anti-HA IgM was 98.48% in the case group and only 0.76% in the control, indicating that the infection was caused by HA virus. The results revealed that the source and mode of transmission were due to the consumption of contaminated and inadequately cooked clams (Anadara subcrenata lischke). There was a highly positive dose-response relationship between the odds ratio of contracting HA and the quantity or frequency of clam consumption. The odds ratios of acquiring HA from clams were up to 62.4-63.4 by both group stratification and multiple unconditional logistic regression analyses.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

The identification of discrete prognostic groups in low grade non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. The Scotland and Newcastle Lymphoma Group Therapy Working Party.

A prognostic model was developed by examination of the prospectively recorded presentation characteristics of patients presenting with low grade non-Hodgkin's lymphomas (LGL). A geographically distinct group (Edinburgh and Borders) was excluded in order to test the validity of the model based on the rest of the Scotland and Newcastle Lymphoma Group (SNLG) population. Between 1979 and 1987 506 patients presented with low grade lymphoma according to Working Formulation definition within one of each of the three main pathology categories. The median available follow-up was 47 months. In a multivariate analysis performance status, age, stage, gender and haemoglobin all contributed separately. 25% of all patients had relatively good prognosis with a median survival not reached and 84% alive at 5 years. Conversely for the worst prognostic group of 25% of patients the median survival is 18 months with only 26% surviving at 5 years. Finally for the intermediate group of 50% of all patients, median survival is 69 months with 58% alive at 5 years. These striking prognostic separations are shown also to be valid in sub-group analysis. Thus young patients within any pathology subgroup have been identified with bad prognostic lymphoma for whom novel strategies in therapy should be devised.

Aged↗
PubMed1991

Endothelin 1 enhances myofilament Ca2+ responsiveness in aequorin-loaded ferret myocardium.

The influence of endothelin 1 on intracellular Ca2+ transients and isometric contractions was investigated in ferret papillary muscles loaded with the Ca(2+)-regulated bioluminescent indicator aequorin. In concentrations of 3 x 10(-9) to 1 x 10(-7) M, endothelin produced dose-dependent increases in the amplitudes of both aequorin light signals (maximum, 31 +/- 12%) and developed tension (maximum, 64 +/- 13%). The peak aequorin light [( Ca2+]i)-peak tension curve generated by increasing endothelin concentrations was steeper and shifted to the left of the curve generated by varying [Ca2+]o; however, the maximum developed tension produced by endothelin did not exceed that produced by 6 mM [Ca2+]o. The effect of endothelin on the amplitude of the aequorin light signal was less than the effect of [Ca2+]o for similar levels of tension development. Moreover, 1 x 10(-7) M endothelin caused an upward shift in the peak aequorin light-peak tension curve generated by varying [Ca2+]o and increased the maximum twitch force by about 12%. The contractions were prolonged, whereas the time course of the Ca2+ transient was not changed in the presence of endothelin. When the function of the sarcoplasmic reticulum was inhibited by 6 microM ryanodine, 10(-7) M endothelin still increased the force generation without increasing the intracellular peak Ca2+, either during isometric twitches or during tetani.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Actin Cytoskeleton↗
PubMed1991

Expression of ventricular myosin subunits in the atria of children with congenital heart malformations.

The presence of ventricular myosin light chains in the atria of children with congenital heart disease was demonstrated by two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, peptide mapping, and Western blot analysis. Ventricular myosin light chains were present in 27% of biopsies from 91 children with different forms of congenital heart disease. Perimembranous ventricular septal defects and tetralogy of Fallot were associated with the presence of ventricular myosin light chains in 50% of patients. The presence of ventricular myosin light chains in these atria did not correlate with pressure or volume overload. Analysis of myosin heavy chain isotype in the same biopsies by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, peptide mapping, and Western blot analysis indicated that there was no detectable expression of ventricular myosin heavy chain (beta-subunit), suggesting that the genes for the myosin heavy chains and light chains are not expressed coordinately.

Blood Pressure↗
PubMed1991

Putting on the style: what patients think of the way their doctor dresses.

The aim of this study was to determine how acceptable patients found different styles of doctors' dress and whether patients felt that a doctor's style of dress influenced their respect for his or her opinion. A total of 475 patients from five general practices in Lothian were surveyed using photographs of different styles in a male and female doctor and questions about their attitudes to doctors' dress in general. Overall, patients seemed to favour a more formal approach to dress, with the male doctor wearing a formal suit and tie and the female doctor in a white coat scoring the most high marks. This was particularly true of older patients and those in social classes 1 and 2. The male doctor wearing a tweed jacket and informal shirt and tie scored fewer low marks and this was therefore the least disliked of the outfits. There was a marked variation between preferences of patients registered with different practices. When asked, 28% of patients said they would be unhappy about consulting one of doctors shown, usually the ones who were informally dressed. However, some patients said they would dislike their doctor wearing a white coat. Although there are more important attributes for a general practitioner than the way he or she dresses, a majority of patients (64%) thought that the way their doctor dressed was very important or quite important. Given that 41% of the patients said they would have more confidence in the ability of one of the doctors based on their appearance it would seem logical for doctors to dress in a way that inspires confidence.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adolescent↗
PubMed1991

Acute unclassified leukemia originating from undifferentiated cells with the aberrant rearrangement and expression of immunoglobulin and T-cell receptor genes.

To analyze the development pathways of early hematopoietic cells, we studied the rearrangement and expression of the immunoglobulin (Ig) and T-cell receptor (TCR) genes in 12 patients with acute unclassified leukemia (AUL). Leukemia cells from these patients were negative for myeloperoxidase staining and failed to express B-cell, T-cell, or megakaryocyte associated antigens. The expression of the CD7 antigen, myeloid associated antigens, or both was detected in three patients each. Ig and/or TCR gene rearrangements were detected in seven of the 12 patients, and five had rearrangement of both the Ig and TCR genes. Full length mature TCR gene transcripts were not demonstrated in most of the patients showing TCR gene rearrangements. In contrast, cells from two patients with germline configurations of the Ig and TCR genes tested expressed truncated forms of both Ig and TCR genes. These results suggest that AUL may generally originate from undifferentiated cells with an aberrant rearrangement and/or expression of the Ig and TCR genes.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1990

Cancer incidence among medical diagnostic X-ray workers in China, 1950 to 1985.

A second follow-up of 27,011 diagnostic X-ray workers in China revealed a 21% greater incidence of cancer than expected based on the experience of 25,782 physicians who did not routinely use X-rays (RR = 1.21; 95% Cl: 1.08 to 1.35). This risk is lower than the 50% excess reported previously and reflects, in part, the reduced risk among workers first employed after 1965, when hospital exposures to radiation probably were lower than in earlier years. The X-ray workers were employed between 1950 and 1985 and followed for an average of 16.1 years. Significantly elevated risks were seen for leukemia (RR = 2.4, n = 34 cases), and cancers of the esophagus (RR = 5.2, n = 19), liver (RR = 1.8, n = 65), and skin (RR = 2.8, n = 9). Cancers of the breast (RR = 1.5, n = 20), thyroid (RR = 1.7, n = 8), and bone (RR = 7.6, n = 4) also occurred more often than expected. Non-significant deficits were observed for cancers of the oral cavity and pharynx (RR = 0.6, n = 16), colon and rectum (RR = 0.8, n = 20), stomach (RR = 0.8, n = 36), and lung (RR = 0.9, n = 45). Excess risks for leukemia and esophageal cancer were seen among men but not among women. The RR for leukemia was higher for X-ray workers who began employment before 1970 than for those who started more recently and also for those who were young when employment began. The patterns of risk associated with duration of work, and with age and calendar time of initial employment, suggest that the excesses of leukemia and skin cancer, and, possibly, cancers of the breast and thyroid, were due to occupational exposure to X-rays. However, there was little evidence that radiation contributed to the increased occurrences of liver or esophageal cancers.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

The quantitation of human ventricular myosin light chain 1 in serum after myocardial necrosis and infarction.

To determine the clinical utility of human ventricular myosin light chain 1 (HVLC1) in the diagnosis of myocardial necrosis, we established a radioimmunoassay for serum HVLC1 using polyclonal antibodies raised against the purified human protein. HVLC1 levels were measured in sera from 110 control patients and 38 patients immediately after cardiovascular surgery and in serial specimens from 10 patients with uncomplicated myocardial infarctions. The HVLC1 assay was found to be equal in sensitivity for the first 48 hours to the CK-MB for myocardial necrosis after cardiovascular surgery and for myocardial infarction. In virtually all myocardial infarct patients, HVLC1 levels in sera rose within hours of the onset of chest pain. From thereon, two sub-trends were discerned. For many, the HVLC1 levels remain elevated for 9-12 days beyond. In some, the HVLC1 levels returned to normal levels 1-2 days after the initial rise, but became elevated again for the next 5-9 days. In either instance, the diagnosis of myocardial infarction was permitted as late as 10-12 days after the onset of chest pain which is in stark contrast to all conventionally used biochemical markers.

Antibodies↗
PubMed1989

Quantitative autoradiography of M2 muscarinic receptors in the rat brain identified by using a selective radioligand [3H]AF-DX 116.

Muscarinic receptors of the M2 type have been studied in the rat brain using quantitative autoradiography with the selective ligand, [3H]AF-DX 116. High specific binding of [3H]AF-DX 116 was found in areas such as laminae IV and V of the parietal cerebral cortex, thalamus and hypothalamus and dentate gyrus. Intermediate [3H]AF-DX 116 binding was found in the frontal cortex, hippocampus, caudate-putamen, nucleus accumbens, and claustrum as well as in certain brainstem nuclei such as the nucleus of the solitary tract and the dorsal motor nuclei of the vagus. In contrast, the accessory olfactory nucleus, globus pallidus and cerebellum contained very low concentrations of M2 receptors. The present study demonstrates a unique regional distribution of M2 receptors in the rat brain.

Animals↗
PubMed1989

gamma-Glutamyl transpeptidase localization in esophageal exfoliative cytology of a chinese population at risk for carcinoma.

gamma-Glutamyl transpeptidase (gamma-GT) localization in exfoliative esophageal specimens was evaluated in a population of 911 individuals aged 35 or older who lived in an area of China with a high incidence of esophageal squamous carcinoma. Of the total population, 24.4% was positive for gamma-GT. Graded histopathologic cellular classification revealed the following incidences: normal, 10.4% (43 of 413); hyperplasia, 22.0% (44 of 200); Grade I dysplasia, 42.4% (98 of 231); Grade II dysplasia, 46.0% (23 of 50); near-carcinoma, 100% (4 of 4); and squamous carcinoma, 77.0% (10 of 13). In these groups gamma-GT-positive cells were usually from normal esophageal squamous epithelium. A lower incidence of gamma-GT-positive cells was found for dysplastic cells (dysplasia grade I, 6.5% (15 of 231); grade II, 10.0% (5 of 50). The presence of gamma-GT-positive cells in normal esophageal squamous epithelium may prove useful for identification of suspect populations; the presence in dysplastic cells may serve as a diagnostic marker for patients who will soon progress to the carcinoma stage and who should receive early treatment and careful follow-up.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

[Constitutive expression of human fibroblast interferon gene controlled by SV40 early promoter in CHO cells].

HindII fragment encoding human fibroblast interferon (IFN beta) gene coding sequence was fused at 60 bp downstream from the RNA start site of SV40 early gene to be a constitutive expression plasmid pSVE beta. This recombinant plasmid was transfected into the dihydrofolate reductase (dhfr)-deficient Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells together with a selectable dhfr gene. About half of transformants continuously secreted IFN beta into the supernatant without inducement. One of the subclone transformants constitutively produced up to 852U IFN beta/2 X 10(6) cells/ml. 48hr in common medium.

Animals↗
PubMed1989

[Exploration between shen and ear by auditory determination in patients with renal disease].

UNLABELLED: Hearing determination of 51 cases had been made to observe and explore the TCM pathogenic relation between the collateral channels of Shen and ears. Model 51A-T72N pure tone auditional determinator was used. For each case, routine auditional determination was made after rest in bed quietly for an hour after breakfast. The determinating results were divided into normal (average hearing loss less than 15dB), low frequency, high frequency and plain-typing hearing loss. RESULTS: Among the 51 cases, 8 cases were normal hearing (15.7%), the hearing loss cases were 43 (84.3%); 30 cases were double-ear hearing loss (58.8%); 13 cases were single ear hearing loss (25.5%). Cases of renal diseases frequently occurred among the young (in this group, average age was 29.5 years). Such high incidence was obviously non-physiological, but related to the renal disease itself. More serious hearing damage were seen and were in high frequency. Whether or not it was caused by hypoalbuminaemia, oedema and deprivation in blood vessel leading to disorder of circulation of sound sensitizen, or accumulation of toxin owing to renal dysfunction, or changing composition of endolymph influencing the hearing bristle cells, further research should be done in the near future.

Adolescent↗