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Biomedical subjects

K Liu

Publications and source records attributed to K Liu.

At least 451 records · Page 25Linked to original sources
PubMed1992

[Biochemical and immunological characterization of desmosomal proteins].

Desmosmoes were dissolved by incubation at 100 degrees C for 30 minutes in lysis buffer containing 9.5 M urea. SDS-PAGE revealed seven high molecular weight (> 67 kd) bands and some keratins. Seven of these were considered to be major bands. Bands 1 and 2 with M(r) values of 250 kd and 215 kd, called desmoplakins I and II. Polypeptide bands 3, 4a 4b, 5 and 6 had M(r) values of 165kd, 130kd, 115kd, 83kd and 75kd, respectively. 2-2.5mg of Desmoplakin I was obtained by a preparative electrophoresis; the purity reached 93.1%. The isoelectric pH range was between 6.8 and 7.2, and the amino acid compositions displayed a relatively high content of glycine. It was found that McAb Desmoplakin I recognized specifically the 250kd antigenic band by immunoblotting.

Amino Acids↗
PubMed1992

Home care for the disabled elderly: predictors and expected costs.

While interest in publicly funded home care for the disabled elderly is keen, basic policy issues need to be addressed before an appropriate program can be adopted and financed. This article presents findings from a study in which the cost implications of anticipated behavioral responses (for example, caregiver substitution) are estimated. Using simulation techniques, the results demonstrate that anticipated behavioral responses would likely add between $1.8 and $2.7 billion (1990 dollars) to the costs of a public home care program. Results from a variety of cost simulations are presented. The data base for the study was the 1982 National Long-Term Care Survey.

Activities of Daily Living↗
PubMed1992

[Application of the "Wits" approsal in Shanghai children with normal mixed or early permanent dentition]

128 children in Shanghai with normal mixed or early permanent dentition were selected in this servey to gain their normal value of the "wits" approsal.The results showed (1) there was no significant difference of "wits" approsal between the two groups of the children. (2)There was no disparity in "wits" approsal ofthe children with the same nationality and living in different regions. (3) There was a little change in value of the "wits" apporsal during the growth period or the children,which indicated a comparative identical relationship between the upper and lower basal bone.This study suggested that the application of the "wits" approsal be very imnportant in orthodontic clinic because of its expressing exactly the relationship of the jaws.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1992

[The effect of EBCI Iontophoresis on orthodontic tooth movement in rabbits]

The purpose of this study was to observe the effect of EBC ionophoresis on increasing the rate of tooth movement in rabbits.21 rabbits,in whose lower incisors the standard orthodontic appliances were placed,were divided into 3 groups at rendom which separately received iontoporesis of EBC,iontophosesis and injection of physiological saline at the submucosal area of the lower incisors.The results showed that the animals with EBC iontophoresis obtained tooth movement rate of 4.275+/-0.1214(mm) and the animals with NaCl iontophoresis and injection were respectively 3.337+/-0.4626(mm) and 2.178+/-0.2922(mm).The histological observation had also found the evidence of the ability of EBC to stimulate osteoclasts in preiodontal pression side and osteoblasts in tension.This study suggested that iontophoresis of EBC could play an important role in reconstructing the periodontum and speeding the tooth movement in rabbits.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1991

Left ventricular wall thickness measurements by magnetic resonance: a validation study.

Left ventricular (LV) wall thickness was determined by magnetic resonance (MR) in 15 patients (7 controls and 8 patients with coronary artery disease). End-diastolic (ed) and end-systolic (es) wall thickness were measured in a short axis view perpendicular to the LV long axis. Wall thickness measurements were compared to data obtained by digital subtraction angiography (DSA) and M-mode echocardiography (Echo). End-diastolic and end-systolic wall thickness were significantly overestimated by MR (34% and 37%, respectively) when compared to DSA. In contrast, LV end-diastolic and end-systolic chamber diameter were significantly underestimated by MR (25% and 30%, respectively) when compared to DSA. However, fractioned shortening was similar (all NS) for MR (48 +/- 22%), DSA (54 +/- 15%) and Echo (44 +/- 10%), respectively. The mean difference (= accuracy) and the standard deviation of difference (= precision) for LV wall thickness was 0.4 +/- 0.2 cm between MR and DSA, 0.4 +/- 0.3 cm between MR and ECHO and 0.03 +/- 0.1 cm between DSA and ECHO. The correlation of wall thickness between MR and DSA (correlation coefficient r = 0.74, p less than 0.001) and between MR and Echo (r = 0.70, p less than 0.001) was good although the standard error of estimate (SEE) was 17% for MR vs. DSA and 21% for MR vs. Echo. The corresponding SEE for chamber diameter was 16% between MR and DSA and 19% between MR and Echo, respectively. Intraobserver variability for wall thickness determination by MR was excellent (correlation coefficient r = 0.99, p less than 0.001) SEE of 4%. Interobserver variability was also good (correlation coefficient r = 0.90, p less than 0.001) with a SEE of 12%. It is concluded that LV wall thickness and chamber diameter (short axis plane) can be determined by MR with good precision but only satisfactory accuracy. LV wall thickness is significantly overestimated probably due to signals from static blood which might be indistinguishable from the subendocardium.

Angiography, Digital Subtraction↗
PubMed1991

A novel process for anaerobic composting of municipal solid waste.

A novel process has been developed and evaluated in a pilot-scale program for conversion of the biodegradable fraction of municipal solid waste (MSW) to methane via anaerobic composting. The sequential batch anaerobic composting (SEBAC) process employs leachate management to provide organisms, moisture, and nutrients required for rapid conversion of MSW and removal of inhibitory fermentation products during start-up. The biodegradable organic materials are converted to methane and carbon dioxide in 21-42 d, rather than the years required in landfills.

Anaerobiosis↗
PubMed1991

The influence of demographic and phenotypic heterogeneity on the prevalence of gestational diabetes mellitus.

In order to explore the influence of demographic and phenotypic characteristics on the prevalence of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), data were analyzed from 3744 consecutive patients who underwent universal screening with a 50 g glucose load at 24-28 weeks gestational age. Those with a 1-h plasma glucose greater than or equal to 130 mg/dl underwent a 3-h, 100-g oral glucose tolerance test following dietary preparation. The population was 39.1% White, 37.7% Black, 19.8% Hispanic and 3.4% Oriental/other. The overall prevalence of GDM was 3.5 cases/100. Significant inter-racial differences in maternal age and prepregnant percent ideal body weight (PIBW) were observed, with White patients being older and leaner than Blacks and Hispanics. By multiple logistic regression, Black and Hispanic race, maternal age and PIBW were found to have significant independent effects on the prevalence of GDM. Controlling for age and PIBW, the adjusted relative risk of GDM was significantly higher in Black (1.81, 95% CI 1.13-2.89) and Hispanic (2.45, 95% CI 1.48-4.04) patients compared to White. We conclude that demographic and phenotypic characteristics of populations need to be taken into consideration in future studies of prevalence of GDM, perinatal implications and therapeutic approaches to the disease.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

Correlates of fasting insulin levels in young adults: the CARDIA study.

Elevated fasting insulin is an independent risk factor for hyperlipidemia, hypertension, and cardiovascular disease, but determinants of insulin other than age and body mass remain poorly described. Potentially modifiable factors associated with insulin were identified by correlating anthropometric, dietary and physical activity data in the CARDIA cohort of 2643 black and 2472 white men and women aged 18-30 years. Insulin was positively correlated with serum glucose, body mass index (BMI), skinfold thickness, waist/hip ratio and sucrose intake, and negatively correlated with heavy physical activity score, treadmill exercise duration, and magnesium intake (each p less than 0.01). After adjustment for other covariates, the positive association of insulin with waist/hip ratio, skinfold thickness, and sucrose intake remained in the group as a whole, as did the negative associations with magnesium and treadmill duration. These relationships provide insight into potentially modifiable factors affecting insulin levels, and should be considered in interpreting associations between insulin levels and cardiovascular disease.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1991

Nursing home length of stay and spenddown in Connecticut, 1977-1986.

A study of lifetime nursing home use was conducted with data from Connecticut for a 9-year period, 1977-1986. By linking stays for individuals, we were able to make life table estimates of the total amount of time after age 65 expected to be spent by persons in nursing homes. Because these data were linked to Medicaid eligibility records, it was possible to determine the total amount of nursing home use that is paid for by Medicaid and to produce estimates of the risk of Medicaid spenddown. The lifetime risk of spenddown in nursing homes was estimated to be 21.5%, with a 14.4% incidence of spenddown in any given episode. The amount of time it took to spend down was longer than reported in several other studies.

Aged↗
PubMed1991

Diet, body size, and plasma lipids-lipoproteins in young adults: differences by race and sex. The Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults (CARDIA) study.

The Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults (CARDIA) study completed baseline dietary assessment, measurement of body mass index, and lipid and lipoprotein analyses on 5,111 participants. CARDIA includes black and white men and women between 18 and 30 years of age at baseline (1985-1986), recruited in Birmingham, Alabama, Chicago, Illinois, Minneapolis, Minnesota, and Oakland, California. Diet was assessed by a detailed interviewer-administered diet history that measured the usual eating pattern over the past month. Possible sex, race, age, and educational differences in diet, body size, and lipids-lipoproteins were explored. Nutrient analyses indicate that the Keys score, a measure of dietary fat composition, is significantly correlated with plasma cholesterol in older (aged 25-30 years) white men (r = 0.12, p less than 0.01) and older white women (r = 0.12, p less than 0.001). In multiple linear regression analyses, body mass index was positively and significantly associated with total cholesterol and low density lipoprotein cholesterol and inversely associated with high density lipoprotein cholesterol across all race-sex groups. The Keys score was significantly associated with total cholesterol and low density lipoprotein cholesterol in white men and women. Education was associated with high density lipoprotein cholesterol in black and white women and white men. In these young adults, dietary fat intake and body mass index were related to blood lipids in certain subgroups. In black and white men and black women, blood cholesterol increased with age across race-sex groups independently of these covariates. In view of the many factors affecting plasma cholesterol and the limitations of the dietary history method, these cross-sectional data are useful in characterizing diet and lipid differences. There appears to be general disparity between recommended dietary intake of total fat, saturated fat, and other nutrients and actual dietary intake in young adults, regardless of age and educational level.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1991

Predicting nursing-home admission and length of stay. A duration analysis.

Information on who enters nursing homes and how much nursing-home care people use continues to be important for the consideration of various long-term care policies. Research on how characteristics of noninstitutionalized disabled elderly persons are related to both risk of admission and length of stay is presented here. Hazard models were developed using data from the 1982-84 National Long-Term Care Survey. Personal characteristics of elderly persons and state policy variables had varying effects on nursing-home use in a 2-year period.

Activities of Daily Living↗
PubMed1991

[Dental anthropological study of Mongoloid in China].

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the craniofacial and occlusal characteristics of the inhabitants in China. The material consisted of cephalograms, pantomograms, dental casts and anthropological measurements taken from 517 inhabitants: 416 Han Chinese in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Changchun and 101 Mongolians in Hohhot. The data were compared among the above five regions and also with the Japanese data. The findings were summarized as follows: I. Craniofacial characteristics; a) The Han Chinese and the Mongolians showed brachycephaly. b) The inhabitants in Guangzhou showed a tendency of bimaxillary protrusion with a smaller facial height, and the inhabitants in Changchun showed a larger gonial angle with a larger facial height than those of the other regions. c) The Mongolians had a larger value of the saddle angle and of the bi-gonial breadth. d) Compared with the Japanese, their craniofacial complex was characterized by a larger facial angle, smaller mandibular plane angle and a smaller gonial angle. II. Occlusal characteristics; a) The inhabitants in China had a similar tendency in the dental arch form and in the dental trait frequency. b) The inhabitants in Beijing had a larger mesiodistal crown-diameter of the anterior teeth than those in the other regions. c) Compared with the Japanese, their teeth were characterized by a smaller mesiodistal crown-diameter (especially on the upper first molar), higher frequency of shovel-shape and lower frequency of Carabelli's tuberculum.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1991

[Isolation of desmosomes: a marker for epithelial tumors].

A simple method is reported for the isolation of desmosomes. The fresh noncornified layers of cow nose epidermis were immersed in 0.1 mol/L citric acid-sodium citrate buffer (pH 2.3, containing 0.5 mmol/L PMSF), and then treated with homogenization and discontinuous sucrose density gradient centrifugation. Desmosomes were located at the 50-56% sucrose interface. Electron microscopy revealed that the characteristic desmosome structure was well preserved, and that a few intermediate filament bundles attached to desmosome plaque were removed by the solubilizing action of the buffer. Approximate 100 mg desmosomes (dry weight) were got from 20g wet noncornified layers of epidermic tissue.

Biomarkers, Tumor↗
PubMed1991

Effects of multiple admissions on nursing home use: implications for front-end policies.

Recently, proposals to expand publicly financed nursing home benefits have focused on coverage for the initial months of care. This paper presents information from the 1985 National Nursing Home Survey to describe the phenomenon of multiple nursing home admissions and to examine the effects of multiple admissions on the number of individuals who would be fully covered by "front-end" policies. For example, in contrast to an expected 51% of admissions that would be fully covered by a 3-month benefit, we estimated that only 39% of cases would be fully covered after adjusting for multiple admissions.

Age Factors↗