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Biomedical subjects

L Cao

Publications and source records attributed to L Cao.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed2001

Differences in knowledge, attitude and behavior with respect to hypertension among cardiologists, neurologists and other physicians in internal medicine.

It is known that the knowledge, attitude and behavior (KAB) of physicians with respect to hypertension directly affect the prevention of hypertension and associated cardiovascular diseases. To investigate the differences in KAB among cardiologists, neurologists and other physicians, 1,722 potential participants were selected by stratified random sampling. Among these, 1,609 participants took part in the present survey, and 948 of this group were eligible for the present analysis. The data were collected using a self-administrated questionnaire. Results showed that, with respect to knowledge and attitude regarding hypertension, 15.3% of cardiologists, 15.2% of neurologists and 7.2% of other internals selected the correct answers to all questions (p<0.05). The criteria of hypertension were not correctly understood by about two-thirds of physicians, including both cardiologists and neurologists. With regard to behavior, 16.5% of cardiologists, 17.9% of neurologists and 9.6% of other internals selected the correct answers to all questions (p<0.05). A majority of physicians considered that routine blood pressure measurements were not necessary in cases uncomplicated by cardiovascular disease and other disease, such as nephrotic disease, or diabetes mellitus. One-half to two-thirds of physicians did not believe that life style modifications reduce blood pressure. For each question, cardiologists showed the highest, and other internals the lowest, percentage of correct responses to all items in the questionnaire. These findings indicate that cardiovascular health education must be strengthened for all physicians, and not only for specialists.

Cardiology↗
PubMed2001

Development of neurotrophic molecules for treatment of neurodegeneration.

Over the past several years, neurotrophic factors have made considerable progress from the laboratory into the clinic. Evidence from preclinical and clinical studies indicates that it may be possible to use neurotrophic factors to prevent, slow the progression of, or even reverse the effects of a number of neurodegenerative diseases and other types of insults in both the central and peripheral nervous system. Their potential importance in the development of therapeutic agents against neurodegenerative disorders and nerve injury has led to a flurry of activity towards understanding their structure, function and signalling mechanisms. Approaches to develop pharmacological agents that target neurotrophic factors, their receptors or neurotrophic factors signalling pathways have been attempted. This review focuses on some of the major themes and lines of mechanistic and therapeutic advances in this fast-moving field of neuroscience.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

[Association analysis of attempted suicide and 5-HT2A receptor gene].

OBJECTIVE: To examine the relationship of attempted suicide with A-1438G and T102C polymorphisms of 5-HT2A receptor gene. METHODS: Genotypes and allele frequencies of A-1438G and T102C polymorphisms of 5-HT2A receptor gene in 149 attempted suicides and 190 normal controls were examined by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism(PCR-RFLP). RESULTS: No differences in genotypes and allele frequencies of A-1438G and T102C polymorphisms of 5-HT2A receptor gene were observed between attempted suicides and the controls. However, an association between male attempted suicides and genotype(GG) of A-1438G polymorphism was found. CONCLUSION: These results suggested that liability to suicide behavior might be associated with A-1438G polymorpyhism of 5-HT2A receptor gene in male subjects.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2001

[Identification of Amomum villosum, Amomum villosum var. xanthioides and Amomum longiligulare on ITS-1 sequence].

OBJECTIVE: To identify Amomum villosum Lour. and some their adulterants on molecular biology. METHOD: The DNA of Amomum villosum Lour. and some their adulterants were extracted, and amplified using ITS-1 primer. The amplificed DNA were purified and then sequenced by direct PCR sequencing method. RESULT: The ITS-sequence of all of the samples are 248 bp in size. But there are 7 bases in Amomum villosum Lour var. xanthioides (Wall.ex Bak) T.L. Wu et Senjen and 12 hases in Amomum longiligulare T.L. Wu. differing from Amomum villosum Lour. CONCLUSION: The ITS-1 sequence can be used to identify effectively Amomum villosum Lour. and their adulterants.

Amomum↗
PubMed2001

Inhibitory effect of nomegestrol acetate on steroidogenesis of cultured granulosa cells from rat ovary in vitro.

AIM: To study the effect of nomegestrol acetate, a new synthetic progesterone on granulosa cells' viability and steroidogenesis function. METHODS: Granulosa cells were cultured in McCoy's 5A medium. Trypan blue stain was used to measure viable cells. FSH and testosterone were added to stimulate the steroid secretion. Specific RIA assay was used to evaluate the estrogen and progesterone secretion respectively. RESULTS: IC50 of nomegestrol acetate to damage cells is 6.85 mg/L (95 % confidence limits 5.36-8.75 mg/L). Nomegestrol acetate 0.45, 0.9, and 1.8 mg/L greatly inhibited the estrogen secretion from granulosa cells by 7.6 %, 12.5 %, 28.3 % in the presence of testosterone 0.5 micromol/L and FSH 10 U/L without affecting the number of viable cells. The secretion of progesteron were markedly decreased by 44.5 %, 53.3 %, and 62.0 % concurrently. CONCLUSION: Nomegestrol acetate directly inhibited the steroidogenesis of granulosa cells.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

Effects of droloxifene on apoptosis and Bax, Bcl-2 protein expression of luteal cells in pseudopregnant rats.

AIM: To study the effects of droloxifene on apoptosis and the expression of Bax and Bcl-2 protein in corpus luteum of pseudopregnant rats. METHODS: HE staining was used to examine the histological changes of ovaries. Apoptosis detection in situ was performed with TUNEL method. Expression of Bax and Bcl-2 protein was observed by immunohistochemistry analysis. RESULTS: Apoptosis of luteal cells during the spontaneous regression of corpus luteum of pseudopregnant rats appeared on d 13 of pseudopregnancy, and the marked increase of apoptotic luteal cells could be observed on d 15. When pseudopregnant rats were treated with droloxifene 20 mg . Kg on d 2, apoptosis of luteal cells could be observed on d 8 and the duration of pseudopregnancy could be shortened from (15.5 +\- 1.1) d to (12.8 +\- 1.6) d. In pseudopregnant rats, the expression of Bax and Bcl-2 protein was found in the cytoplasm of luteal cells. However, no obvious differences in the intensity or localization could be found during various days of the pseudopregnancy, while an increase in Bax and a decrease in Bcl-2 protein expression could be induced by droloxifene treatment. CONCLUSION: Droloxifene could facilitate apoptosis of luteal cells in pseudopregnant rats and shorten the period of pseudopregnancy. An increased Bax/Bcl-2 ratio might be involved in the facilitation of apoptosis induced by droloxifene in corpus luteum of pseudopregnant rats.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

Apoptosis induced by droloxifene and C-myc, Bax, Bcl-2 protein expression in corpus luteum of pregnant rats.

AIM: To investigate the effects of droloxifene on apoptosis of luteal cells in pregnant rats, and analyze the possible relationships between the expression of C-myc, Bax, Bcl-2 protein in corpus luteum and apoptosis of luteal cells induced by droloxifene. METHODS: Pregnant rats were treated orally with droloxifene 20 mg . kg-1 on d 2. Ovaries were collected on d 4 or d 8 for detecting the apoptosis of luteal cells by hematoxylin-eosin staining and terminal deoxyribonucleotidyl transferase-mediated deoxyuridine triphosphate-biotin nick end labelling (TUNEL), and observing the expression of C-myc, Bax, Bcl-2 protein in corpus luteum by immunohistochemistry. The ovarian fresh weight, protein contents, and serum progesterone levels were also determined on d 4 and d 8. RESULTS: Apoptotic luteal cells appeared on d 4 and more apoptotic cells could be observed on d 8 in droloxifene treated rats. The ovarian fresh weight, protein contents, and serum progesterone concentration were found to be decreased significantly on d 8 as compared to the control group. In corpus luteum of droloxifene treated rats, the increased expression of C-myc and Bax protein could be observed on d 4 and d 8, respectively, whereas no obvious changes could be found in the expression of Bcl-2 protein. CONCLUSION: Droloxifene could induce apoptosis of luteal cells of preimplantation in pregnant rats. An increased expression of C-myc protein and Bax/Bcl-2 ratio could be induced by droloxifene, which might be associated with the mechanisms of apoptosis of luteal cells induced by droloxifene.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

Molecular cloning and characterization of NAG-7: a novel gene downregulated in human nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

OBJECTIVE: To identify novel tumor suppressor genes at chromosome 3p24-26 in human nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). METHODS: Twenty epithelial-derived expressed sequence tags (EST) were selected from chromosome 3p24-26. RT-PCR and Northern blot were used to detect the expression of the ESTs in NPC cell line, HNE-1, and primary cultures of normal nasopharyngeal epithelial cells. One EST, which was substantially downregulated in the HNE-1 cell line, was detected in 19 NPC biopsy samples. cDNA library screening was used to get its full sequence and the sequence of this novel gene was analyzed. RESULTS: A novel gene located at chromosome 3p25.3 was obtained and named NAG-7. It was downregulated in 26.3% (5/19) of NPC biopsy samples. Its 1677 bp full length cDNA had a potential open reading frame predicting a 94 amino acid protein with a molecular weight of 11,023.87 Dalton. Analysis of the NAG-7 gene showed that it was a transmembrane protein containing a protein kinase C phosphorylation site and a myristyl site. It has no significant homology to any reported genes in the database of GenBank. CONCLUSION: NAG-7 is a novel gene downregulated in NPC, suggesting that it may be involved in the development of NPC.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed2001

[Stroke related knowledge, attitude and behavior of Chinese health professionals].

OBJECTIVE: To understand the knowledge, attitude and behavior (KAB) of Chinese health professionals and the affected factors in stroke. METHODS: 1722 anticipated participants were selected by stratified-random sampling, actual participants were 1609. Out of these participants, 1,537 were eligible for analysis. The data were gathered through self-administrated questionnaire. RESULTS: More than 70% of the health professionals selected the correct answers to some questions, but only 25.7% realized that cerebral arteriosclerosis is the most important cause of ischemic stroke. 57.8% and 48.1% of the health professionals suggested and helped patients to reduce weight and restrict salt, respectively; but only 28.0% suggested and helped patients to do physical exercise in non-acute phase. Analyses of multiple linear regression showed that health professionals' education, title, specialty and training in prevention and control of cardiovascular disease as well as the cardiovascular disease history of patients' family members were positively, significantly and independently related to KAB score. CONCLUSION: Health professionals' KAB score about stroke was low on average, health promotion is the access to improvement of health professionals' KAB level.

China↗
PubMed2001

[Effects of radiofrequency catheter ablation in coagulation system].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the pathogenesis and prophylactic therapy of peripheral vascular embolism after radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA). METHOD: 90 patients with supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) were divided into 3 groups. Group A did not use any anticoagulant before RFCA and group B used aspirin (ASA) before RFCA, group C used calcium channel blocker-amlodipine before RFCA. Blood samples were taken at 4 time points, i.e. before and after electrophysiologic examination, immediately after RFCA and 2 days after RFCA. For each blood example, blood levels of platelet alpha-granule membrane glycoprotein-140 (Gmp-140), thromboxane B(2) (TXB(2)), protein C (PC), protein S (PS) were measured. RESULT: In group A, Gmp-140 and TXB(2) of the blood examples taken before electrophysiologic examination were significantly lower than those taken at the three other time points, but there was no significant change of PC and PS as compared with that at the three other time points. Ablation either on the left or right heart did not affect the levels of Gmp-140 and TXB(2); In group B and group C, the levels of Gmp-140 and TXB(2) of the samples were significantly lower than those of the corresponding points in group A. CONCLUSION: It is indicated that platelet aggregability may be introduced by RFCA, but evolution of the anticoagulant system was not caused by RFCA, This may enhance the occurrence of thrombosis. ASA and amlodipine may prevent the occurrence of thrombosis.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2001

Surge of anti-SS-A antibody associated with fulminant thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura in pregnancy.

Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) is an uncommon clinical syndrome and is rarely associated with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Diagnosis of TTP in patients with SLE, especially those who are pregnant, is challenging. We report the case of a pregnant woman with a high level of anti-SS-A antibody (162,143 U/mL) and fulminant TTP. The patient responded to plasma exchange treatment. Recent studies indicate that patients with SLE and another serologic abnormality, such as the presence of antiphospholipid antibody, may be at high risk for TTP. We explore the possible pathogenesis of acute TTP in patients with SLE and summarize the risk factors for acute TTP in patients with SLE and the current treatments for SLE-associated TTP.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Ocular histopathological changes after eyeball enucleation induced by corneal trauma.

OBJECTIVE: To observe the ocular histopathological changes after eyeball enucleation induced by corneal trauma. METHODS: Light microscopic examination was done on 117 eyeball specimens enucleated after corneal trauma (18 with corneal fissure and 99 with corneal perforating trauma). RESULTS: Acute, subacute or chronic inflammatory changes, and fibrous membrane formation were observed in well-closed corneal wounds, whereas inflammation, atrophy and scar were observed in the focal tissues. But at the late period, secondary glaucoma, retinal detachment, endophthalmitis and eyeball atrophy resulted in blindness. Corneal fistula was observed in those with inadequate cure of wounds caused by ingrowth of corneal epithelium, embedment of iris and vitreous body, and large area of centrally located tissue deficiency of the corneal. A high incidence of endophthalmitis was noted due to the presence of corneal fistula. Severe inflammation was observed in the anterior segmental tissues with fibrous infiltration in the anterior chamber, which might result in rapid destruction of the eyeballs. CONCLUSIONS: Ocular pathology varies with the difference of the position, form, size and closing conditions of the corneal laceration after trauma.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2001

[The influence of recombinant human growth hormone on the metabolism of glucose and protein in severely burned patients].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the influence of recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH) on the metabolism of glucose and protein in severely burned patients. METHODS: The serum levels of total protein and albumin and the incidence of hyperglycemia in 24 cases of severely burned patients treated by rhGH were determined and compared with those in patients without rhGH treatment (control group). RESULTS: The serum levels of total protein (TP) and albumin in burned patients after being treated by rhGH were much higher than those before treatment and those in control group. The blood level of glucose increased within 2 weeks, especially 1 week postburn. The incidences of hyperglycemia were 52.38%, 50.24% and 20% on 0 similar 3, 4 similar 7 and 8 similar 14 postburn days (PBDs), respectively. And the incidences of hyperglycemia were 100%, 50% and 0% when the administration of rhGH started within 1, 2 and after 2 weeks respectively. CONCLUSION: The systemic protein synthesis in severely burned patients could be accelerated by the use of rhGH. But early administration of rhGH in burned patients could affect blood sugar level obviously. And the optimal time to give rhGH is 2 weeks after burn injury.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

[Introduction of health administrations at the end of the Qing dynasty].

During the new policy and reform of constitutionality from 1901 to 1911 at the end of the Qing dynasty, there were the contents of health administrations. A special independent organization was affiliated to the Ministries of Police and Civil Administration. The central health administration refers to the Health Section of Police, which was promoted to a Department after the Police Ministry changed to Civil Administration, including three sections: health, quarantine and arts of necromancy, astrology, and medicine. The duties of these three sections included checking the establishment of medical schools, testing doctors, administrating cleaning streets and epidemic prevention, examining and approving health rules. A Health Department was set up by the police headquarters of inner and external city in the capital, and health section was set up by police of each province. There was a police head in government of county to charge the health works. It was the first health administration in the bureaucracy system in China, and the beginning of learning from the west and modernization on health administration.

China↗
PubMed2001

[Treatment of nuclein 32P colloid perfusion with chronic suppurative maxillary sinusitis].

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effect of nuclein 32P colloid in treatment of chronic maxillary sinusitis (CMS). METHOD: 22 patients (31 sides) with CMS after washing of sinucavity were perfused with nuclein 32P in sinucavity. 20 patients (31 sides) with routine conservative treatment were served as a control group. Two groups were followed up for one year. RESULT: In nuclein group, 27 sides were cured, 4 sides were recurred and the rate of cure was 87%. In routine group, 19 sides were cured, 12 sides were recurred and the rate of cure is 61%. There is significant difference between the two groups (P < 0.01). The treatment active of nuclein group is better than that of routine group. CONCLUSION: Nuclein 32P colloid with the function of ionizing radiation can increase the pathogenic tissue immunocompetence and metabolic course, obstruct the microvascular and promote the absorption of inflammatory exudation and edema subsidence. It can also make the proliferous tissue atrophy thence accelerate the rate of cure of CMS.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

[Study on allele-specific diagnostic PCR of the traditional Chinese medicines of the deers].

AIM: To develop a convenient and accurate method of DNA molecular marker for the identification of traditional Chinese medicines made of deers, consisting of pilose antler, penis and testis, tendon and foetus. METHODS: Based on the analysis of DNA sequence of mitochondrial Cyt b gene from original animals of both genuine crude drugs, Cervus nippon and Cervus elaphus, and adulterants, a pair of allele-specific primers named as ILu01-L and ILu01-H were designed for distinguishing geniune crude drugs of deers from their adulterants. RESULTS: The results of diagnostic PCR annealing at 64 degrees C for original animals showed that a 365 bp fragment was only amplified from DNA templates of Cervus nippon and Cervus elaphus. For the identification of medicinal materials total of 43 samples from 6 packages were tested under the same reaction conditions except for DNA templates extracted from these crude drugs. Only 9 samples mentioned above was shown to generate positive amplificon. The result indicate that of 8 samples from 1 package of pilose antler and only 1 sample of deer tendon was genuine crude drug. After that, 3 amplified fragments selected randomly were performed with sequencing analysis with the purpose of verifying the results from diagnostic PCR. Data from sequencing confirmed the reliability of diagnostic PCR identification. CONCLUSION: The diagnostic primers designed in the present study were highly specific for Cervus nippon and Cervus elaphus, and they could be used for the authentication of traditional Chinese medicines made from the deer. The quality of the crude drugs of the deer in the current market is a problem and more effective quality control for these traditional Chinese medicines is urgently needed.

Alleles↗
PubMed2000

Apoptosis induced by droloxifene and c-myc, bax and bcl-2 mRNA expression in cultured luteal cells of rats.

Droloxifene is a tamoxifen derivative whose effects in the therapy of human breast cancer and postmenopausal osteoporosis have been studied widely. We had found that droloxifene could induce apoptosis of luteal cells of rat in vitro, but its mechanisms were unknown. In the present study, the expression of c-myc, bax and bcl-2 mRNA in cultured rat luteal cells during apoptosis induced by droloxifene was investigated and possible associations between these genes and apoptosis were analyzed. Cultured luteal cells of rats were incubated with droloxifene at various concentrations and with treatment durations. Occurrence of apoptosis was detected by terminal deoxyribonucleotidyl tranferase-mediated deoxyuridine triphosphate-biotin nick end labeling (TUNEL), DNA staining and DNA electrophoresis. Expression of these genes' mRNA was determined by semi-quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The results showed that the c-myc and bax mRNA levels increased as concentrations or treatment durations of droloxifene increased, while the bcl-2 mRNA level exhibited no changes. A marked increase of c-myc and bax mRNA appeared respectively with 12 and 24 h of treatment, while a clear increase of apoptosis of luteal cells was found at 18 h. These results suggested that droloxifene could induce apoptosis of luteal cells of rat in vitro. The increase of c-myc mRNA expression might be one of the initiating factors and the elevated ratio of bax/bcl-2 mRNA was also probably involved in this effect.

Animals↗