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Biomedical subjects

L Chang

Publications and source records attributed to L Chang.

At least 235 records · Page 13Linked to original sources
PubMed1997

MR spectroscopy and diffusion-weighted MR imaging in focal brain lesions in AIDS.

Focal brain lesions in AIDS may be difficult to diagnose with conventional imaging techniques. Recent advances in magnetic resonance (MR), including MR spectroscopy (MRS) and diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI), may provide additional information in the evaluation of these diseases. MRS of various AIDS brain lesions show distinct chemical profiles; however, several factors such as location of the voxel, echo time of the study, and disease stage, all have to be taken into consideration when interpreting the results of MRS. DWI demonstrates molecular motion within the tissue and may provide information regarding tissue integrity associated with various disease processes.

AIDS Dementia Complex↗
PubMed1997

Clonal analysis of cancer cells that survived anticancer drug treatment.

We hypothesized that postchemotherapeutic recurrent cancer cells consist of sensitive cells and resistant cells. To examine this hypothesis, the clonality of the postchemotherapeutic surviving cancer cells was characterized. The postchemotherapeutic surviving cancer cells was established using a human cervical carcinoma cell line, ME180, in which cells were treated with either SN38, VP16, or THP for more than 8 weeks. The surviving cells were subcloned by limiting dilutions yielding the following cloning efficiencies: 18% for SN38, 26% for VP16, and 57% for THP. Characterization of the established subclones proved that the postchemotherapeutic recurrent cancer cells consisted of both sensitive cancer cells and resistant cancer cells. This result supports the hypothesis and hence points toward improvement of chemotherapeutic effect through an understanding of the dual types of surviving cells.

Antibiotics, Antineoplastic↗
PubMed1996

Molecular mechanism of LH/CG receptor activation.

It is known that the N-terminal half of the LH/CG receptor is responsible for high hCG binding whereas the C-terminal half is capable of receptor activation. Our results suggest that initial hCG binding at the high affinity site in the N-half receptor induces conformational adjustments. This leads to low affinity secondary contacts of the complex of hCG/the N-half receptor with the C-half receptor. This low affinity secondary contact is responsible for activating the receptor. This is based on the following observations. The C-terminal tail of hCG alpha is known to be involved in activation of the LH/CG receptor. In addition to hCG, we examined the C-terminal three residues (His90-Lys91-Ser92) of the common alpha subunit of FSH and TSH. The results show their differential roles in the three hormones. Ser92 is important for binding and cAMP induction of TSH but not for hCG and FSH. Lys91 is important for binding and cAMP induction of hCG, and cAMP induction but not binding of FSH. It is not important for binding or cAMP induction of TSH. His90 is important for all three hormones. When all three residues were truncated, FSH and TSH lose their affinity for binding and cAMP induction, whereas hCG is still capable of binding but not cAMP induction. Therefore, the three amino acids contribute differently in receptor binding and cAMP induction of hCG, FSH and TSH. Our data also indicate that the evolution of the alpha subunit has been constrained in order not to impair any of the hormones. This suggests that each hormone can be independently engineered to improve the potency. To chemically identify the contact site of the alpha C-tail of hCG in the LH/CG receptor, a decamer peptide corresponding to the alpha subunit sequence from His83 to Ser92 (peptide alpha 81-92) was derivatized with UV sensitive reagent, ABG and radio-iodinated. The resulting ABG-125I-peptide alpha 83-92 was capable of binding and activating the LH/CG receptor. Furthermore, it specifically photoaffinity-labeled the LH/CG receptor. In addition, the amino group of alpha Lys91 of peptide alpha 83-92 is crosslinked to a carboxyl group of the receptor, an indication of close association. Reciprocal mutagenesis of alpha Lys91 and Asp397 in exoloop 1 of the LH/CG receptor suggests the complementary of this pair in receptor activation but not the high affinity interaction of hCG and the receptor. In addition, Lys583 of exoloop 3 is also crucial for receptor activation. To test the conformational adjustment, ABG was attached to hCG alpha and reassociated with untreated beta to produce ABG-125I-alpha/beta. The extent of inter-subunit crosslinking of ABG-125I-alpha/beta bound to the receptor was two to three fold less than unbound ABG-125I-alpha/beta. This result indicates structural change at the subunit interface in response to hCG binding to the receptor.

Affinity Labels↗
PubMed1996

Synthesis and bioassay of 4-ipomeanol analogs as potential chemopreventive agents against 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone (NNK)-induced tumorigenicity in A/J mice.

4-Ipomeanol (4-IPO) is an investigational drug with specific toxicity toward the lung. The tobacco-specific nitrosamine 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone (NNK) is a potent lung carcinogen in several laboratory animals. Both IPO and NNK are toxic upon metabolic activation by cytochrome P450 enzyme(s) present in Clara cells of the lung. IPO and NNK are similar in structure and thus non-toxic analog of IPO could be competitive inhibitors of NNK metabolism in lung. 4-Hydroxyl-phenyl-1-pentanone (HPP), a non-toxic analog of IPO is a potent inhibitor of metabolic activation and tumorigenicity in A/J mouse lung. To extend these studies, we have synthesized 12 analogs of HPP, altering the terminal alkyl group in 6 of them. In another 2 analogs we have substituted electron-donating or electron-withdrawing groups in the benzene ring. Finally, we have altered the oxidation states of 1 and/or 4 position of HPP in the remaining 4 analogs. We have already examined the effect of in vitro inhibition of NNK metabolism by these 12 IPO analogs. In the present study, we have examined 4 IPO analogs that are potent inhibitors of in vitro NNK metabolism namely; 4-hydroxy-1-phenyl-1-octanone (4-HPO), 1,4-diphenyl-4-hydroxy-1-butanone (DPHB), 4-hydroxy-1-phenylpentane (HPPentane), and amyl benzene and tested their inhibitory effects toward the NNK-induced lung tumorigenicity in A/J mice.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

Decreased interleukin-12 (IL-12) from activated cord versus adult peripheral blood mononuclear cells and upregulation of interferon-gamma, natural killer, and lymphokine-activated killer activity by IL-12 in cord blood mononuclear cells.

Interleukin-12 (IL-12) is a critical cytokine regulating natural killer (NK) and T-cell function. We hypothesized that the impaired ability of cord blood (CB) to produce normal adult levels of IL-12 in response to stimulation may contribute to the immaturity of CB immunity. Furthermore, exogenous IL-12 may compensate for the immaturity in CB cellular immunity and have the potential for immunotherapy post cord blood transplantation. We compared the expression and production of IL-12 from activated cord versus adult mononuclear cells (MNC), regulatory mechanisms associated with IL-12 expression in CB MNC, and the effects of IL-12 on induction of CB interferon (IFN)-gamma production, NK, and lymphokine-activated killer (LAK) cytotoxicity. Northern analysis and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay were performed in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated CB and adult peripheral blood (APB) MNC. IL-12 mRNA expression was induced within 6 hours with LPS (10 micrograms/ml) and reached peak levels at 12 hours in both CB and APB MNC. However, IL-12 mRNA expression and protein accumulation in CB MNC were 35.8% +/- 4.84% (12 hours, n = 11, P < .05), and 17.6% +/- 1.7% (24, 72, 96 hours, n = 9, P < .05) respectively, when compared with APB MNC. Nuclear run-on assays showed no differences between CB and APB MNC in both the basal levels of transcription and the degree of transcriptional activation. However, the half-life of IL-12 p40 mRNA was approximately threefold lower in activated CB MNC than in activated APB MNC (CB: 114 +/- 3.0 minutes v APB: 353 +/- 7.8 minutes, n = 3, P < .05). Exogenous IL-12 (10 U/mL) induced a significant increase of IFN-gamma from both CB and APB MNC (24 hours, 72 hours, P < .05, n = 3). The stimulated CB IFN-gamma level reached comparable levels produced by unstimulated APB. IL-12 treatment also significantly enhanced CB NK cytotoxicity against K562 and NB-100 cell lines to the comparable levels of APB (P < .05, n = 4). CB MNC was more responsive to IL-12 stimulation with respect to IFN-gamma production, NK, and LAK cytotoxicity when compared with APB. The present study suggests that IL-12 mRNA and protein expression is decreased in activated CB. This discrepancy in IL-12 production is secondary, at least in part, to the altered posttranscriptional regulation. The impaired, ability of CB MNC to produce IL-12 in response to stimulation may contribute to the decrease in IFN-gamma production and NK cytotoxicity. However, IL-12 enhanced IFN-gamma and NK activity in CB MNC up to the comparable levels of APB MNC. These findings suggest that reduced expression and production of IL-12 from activated CB may contribute to the immaturity in CB cellular immunity and contribute, in part, to decreased graft-versus-host disease following CB stem cell transplantation.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Squamous cell carcinoma of the pharyngeal walls treated with radiotherapy.

PURPOSE: To assess the impact of fractionation schedule, chemotherapy, and tumor location on local control and survival in patients treated with definitive irradiation for carcinoma of the pharyngeal walls. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Between May 1971 and December 1991, 74 patients with previously untreated squamous cell carcinoma of the pharyngeal walls (excluding nasopharynx, tonsil, and pyriform sinus) were treated with radical megavoltage irradiation with or without chemotherapy at Oregon Health Sciences University. RESULTS: Two-year local control rates by stage were: T1: 100%, T2: 55%, T3: 31%, and T4: 29% . Twice-a-day irradiation improved local control rates as compared with once-a-day irradiation for patients with Stage T3 lesions, with 5 out of 7 (71.4%) vs. 4 out of 19 (21%) patients controlled at 2 years (p = 0.015). No improvement was seen in 2-year local control of all stages when chemotherapy was used in conjunction with once-a-day fractionation; however, six of eight patients (75%) treated with twice-a-day irradiation combined with either induction or concurrent chemotherapy had local control. The 2-year local control rate of 100% (6 out of 6) for the group of patients treated with concurrent chemotherapy and b.i.d. irradiation (all with Stage T3 and T4 tumors) is a dramatic improvement over the 2-year local control rate of 30% (10 out of 33) for our entire group of patients with Stage T3 and T4 tumors. Local control rates did not differ by tumor location on the pharyngeal walls. Adjusted disease-specific survival rates by stage were: 1: 100%, II: 85%, III: 58%, IV: 40%. Overall survival rates by stage were: I: 75%, II: 67%, III: 33%, IV: 30%. CONCLUSION: We advocate radical irradiation as the primary therapy for pharyngeal wall carcinomas with the use of twice-a-day fractionation for Stages T2-T4. Our preliminary results with concurrent chemotherapy and b.i.d. irradiation for advanced T3 and T4 tumors appear to be comparable to reported results with hyperfractionated radiation alone. The relative contribution of chemotherapy to b.i.d. irradiation cannot be determined from this small retrospective series; however, in view of the relatively poor results for patients with advanced stage disease, we feel this treatment combination deserves further investigation.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1996

A lea-class gene of tomato confers salt and freezing tolerance when expressed in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

During periods of water deficit, plants accumulate late embryogenesis-abundant (LEA) proteins which are thought to protect cells from stresses associated with dehydration. One of these genes, le25, is expressed in tomato leaves and roots in response to water deficit and abscisic acid accumulation. To study the function of this protein and to test the effect of overproduction of the LE25 protein in Saccharomyces cerevisiae (Sc), a recombinant plasmid in which le25 is expressed under the control of the GAL1 promoter was constructed. The content of LE25 was high in Sc cells transformed with the recombinant plasmid. The transformant exhibited several stress-tolerant phenotypes. Growth of the transformant in a medium with 1.2 M NaCl was improved, as compared to a control strain. While the control strain showed a long lag phase of 40 h, le25-expressing cells showed a shortened lag phase of 10 h. However, no growth improvement was observed in a medium with 2 M sorbitol. In addition, the transformant had an increased survival rate after freezing stress, but not after high-temperature stress. These results, together with its predicted secondary structure, may indicate that LE25 functions as an ion scavenger.

Culture Media↗
PubMed1996

Activity of the distal positive element of the peripherin gene is dependent on proteins binding to an Ets-like recognition site and a novel inverted repeat site.

The peripherin gene, encoding a neuron-specific intermediate filament protein, is transcriptionally induced when PC12 cells begin to terminally differentiate into neurons in response to nerve growth factor. Previously we identified two regulatory sequences of the peripherin gene: a proximal negative element (centered at -173), which prevents peripherin expression in undifferentiated PC12 cells, and a distal positive region (-2660 to -2308) necessary for full induction of peripherin in differentiated PC12 cells (Thompson, M., Lee, E. Lawe, D., Gizang-Ginsberg, E., and Ziff, E. (1992) Mol. Cell. Biol. 12,2501-2513). Here we define a distal positive element (DPE, -2445 to -2337) within the distal positive region. Methylation interference footprinting of the DPE identified DNA-protein contact points at a novel inverted repeat sequence (AACCACTGGTT) and an Ets-like recognition sequence (CAGGAG). Functional analysis using site-directed mutagenesis demonstrates that both sites are necessary for the activity of the DPE. In addition, ternary complex formation at the DPE is dependent on both sites. Antibody competition assays confirm that an Ets family member participates in the DNA-protein complex. We have indirect evidence that the inverted repeat binding protein and the Ets-related protein interact directly with each other. Finally, we demonstrate that the DPE is constitutively active and that neuron-specific regulation of peripherin expression may be due to interaction with distal and proximal negative regulatory elements.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

Promoter and upstream regulatory activities of the mouse cellular retinoic acid-binding protein-I gene.

The promoter and its upstream regulatory region of the mouse cellular retinoic acid-binding protein I (crabp-I) gene were examined in transgenic mouse embryos, a mouse embryonal carcinoma cell line P19, and a mouse embryonic fibroblast cell line 3T6. In transgenic mouse embryos, a beta-galactosidase reporter gene under the control of crabp-I promoter and its upstream regulatory region displayed a very specific pattern of expression characteristic of crabp-I gene expression during developmental stages. In tissue culture systems, the minimal promoter of this gene was identified, and regions containing positive and negative regulatory activities were dissected from the upstream 3-kilobase sequence using assays for transient reporter activity. It is concluded that the minimal promoter of the mouse crabp-I gene is located between 120 and 150 base pairs upstream from the transcription initiation site. Several cell type-specific positive and negative regulatory regions for this promoter have been identified. A region encoding a common negative regulatory activity in both P19 and 3T6 cells is also inhibitory to two heterologous promoters, and specific protein-DNA interactions between this DNA fragment and nuclear extracts of P19 and 3T6 are demonstrated by gel retardation experiments.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

The crystal structure of transthyretin from chicken.

The crystal structure of chicken transthyretin has been solved at 290-pm resolution by molecular-replacement techniques. Transthyretin is the protein component of the amyloid fibrils found in patients suffering from either familial amyloidotic polyneuropathy or senile systemic amyloidosis. Familial amyloidotic polyneuropathy is an autosomal dominant hereditary type of amyloidosis which involves transthyretin with either one or two amino acid substitutions. The three-dimensional structure of chicken transthyretin was determined in order to compare a non-amyloidogenic, species-variant transthyretin with wild-type and mutant transthyretin molecules. Of the 31 chicken-to-human residue differences, 9 occur at positions which in human transthyretin give rise to amyloidogenic variants although none corresponds to the appropriate side-chain substitutions. The model of chicken transthyretin has been refined to an R-factor of 19.9%. The overall fold of the protein is that of an all-beta protein. Compared with wild-type human transthyretin the avian transthyretin shows quite large differences in the region known to be involved in binding to retinol-binding protein, it has a much shorter helical component than the human protein and some of the monomer-monomer interactions are different.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

Sea urchin genes expressed in activated coelomocytes are identified by expressed sequence tags. Complement homologues and other putative immune response genes suggest immune system homology within the deuterostomes.

To identify some of the genes expressed in LPS-activated coelomocytes, we sequenced randomly chosen clones from a directionally constructed cDNA library to produce a set of expressed sequence tags (ESTs). Deduced amino acid sequences from 307 ESTs were compared with known protein sequences in GenBank, and significant matches to approximately 30% of the clones were identified. Eighty-nine clones matched to 55 different proteins, including several putative immune effector proteins. In this work, we show the first identification of an invertebrate homologue of a vertebrate C component. Another EST matches to several short consensus repeats that are characteristic of a variety of proteins, including CR/regulatory proteins and clotting factors. Additional putative immune effector genes include 1) a Kazal-type protease inhibitor that may function to inactivate bacterial proteases, 2) a C-type lectin similar to echinoidin, and 3) a serine protease with similarities to thrombin, elastase, haptoglobin, and plasmin. Other EST categories include 1) cell surface proteins and receptors, 2) proteins involved in signaling systems, 3) lysosomal and secreted proteins, 4) cytoskeletal and cytoskeletal modifying proteins, 5) general cell function proteins, 6) proteins with unknown function, and 7) ESTs without significant matches, 25 with open reading frames. Many of the ESTs identified in this study represent the types of genes expected to be used in lower deuterostome immune functions.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1996

Molecular cloning and characterization of a mouse nuclear orphan receptor expressed in embryos and testes.

A mouse cDNA encoding a putative DNA-binding protein of the zinc-finger type was isolated from an E8.5 mouse embryonic cDNA library. Sequence comparison revealed a high degree of homology between this mouse cDNA and the human and rat orphan receptor Tr2-11 isolated from prostate cDNA libraries. This transcript was detected in early-to-midgestation embryos and was seen to level off during later stages of development. In adult animals, a high level of expression was detected only in the testis, starting at postnatal day 18, a stage when active meiosis begins to occur. A specific antibody was raised, and immunoreactive signal was specifically located in the adlumenal compartment of the seminiferous tubule, where advanced germ cells reside. In mice fed a vitamin A-depleted diet, where the testes were depleted of advanced germ cells, expression of this protein could not be detected, suggesting a biological relation of this orphan receptor and male germ-cell differentiation. Using a retinoic acid response element (RARE)-containing reporter system, it was demonstrated that expression of this protein dramatically repressed both the basal and the retinoic acid (RA)-regulated promoter activities of this reporter. Thus, this orphan receptor could play a role in modulating both the basic transcription machinery and the RA signalling pathway during embryogenesis and male germ-cell differentiation.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1996

Elimination of artifacts in short echo time H MR spectroscopy of the frontal lobe.

Localized 1H spectra from the frontal part of the human brain are often distorted by "ghost" artifacts, especially with short echo time PRESS sequences. These artifacts are caused by insufficient dephasing of unwanted coherences involving magnetization in the sinuses and the mouth. Because the various unwanted coherences of a PRESS sequence are dephased differently, the order of the slice gradients has a pronounced effect on the spectral quality. For frontal voxels, the last slice gradient has to be applied in the axial direction. With this slice order, the major metabolites can be quantified with an interindividual variability of about 10%.

Artifacts↗
PubMed1996

Chemical induction of fenestrae in vessels of the blood-brain barrier.

The endothelium responsible for the blood-brain barrier to hydrophilic solutes has been converted here, by chemical means, to the fenestrated, permeable type of vessel (FV). During development, some brain vessels are reported to be transiently fenestrated. Endothelial fenestrae of adrenal glands are known to be reinduced in vitro by retinoic acid (RA) or phorbol myristate acetate (PMA). Could fenestrae be likewise reinduced in brain barrier vessels? When RA or PMA were infused continuously by an osmotic pump for 28 days into the cerebral cortex of rats, some brain vessels in the lesion cavity created by the reagents were FV. There were no FV in adjacent brain. When 100 microM RA was infused, about 20% of vessels in the cyst were FV, as were about 29% after infusion of 150 ng/ml PMA. Fenestra development depended on concentration and time. Reversibility of fenestra formation was complete at 1-2 months after delivery of RA or PMA had ceased. It is proposed that the RA and PMA effect is mediated by the plasminogen activator urokinase, in as much as both RA and PMA stimulate its production. This notion is supported by preliminary experiments in which urokinase infusion into brain also produced fenestrae. It is further suggested that the reversible induction of fenestrae in the mature brain by RA, PMA, and, perhaps, a variety of other conversion factors may be confined to a subset of brain barrier vessels that must be regenerating and of the kind that were temporarily fenestrated during fetal life.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

Effects of lipopolysaccharide on intestinal injury; potential role of nitric oxide and lipid peroxidation.

Nitric oxide can react with superoxide anion to form peroxynitrite. The resultant free radical can be rapidly protonated to yield even more toxic substances such as hydroxyl radical and nitric dioxide. The generation of either of these free radical species can promote lipid peroxidation and subsequent tissue injury if they are formed in excessive amounts. During sepsis, both nitric oxide synthesis and peroxynitrite production are substantially enhanced in a variety of tissues, effects which favor the development of lipid peroxidation. Consequently, this study was undertaken in conscious rats, to ascertain what effect lipopolysaccharide (LPS) has on inducible nitric oxide synthase expression in the small intestine and to determine whether this is associated with lipid peroxidation or morphologic injury. When examined by Western immunoblot analysis, significantly more inducible nitric oxide synthase immunoreactivity was detected in the ileum than in the jejunum 5 hr after treatment with intraperitoneal LPS (1 and 20 mg/kg). Further, using the thiobarbituric acid assay as an index of lipid peroxidation, it was demonstrated that significantly more thiobarbituric acid reactive substances were present in the ileal mucosa than in the jejunal mucosa after LPS (20 mg/kg) administration. However, LPS (20 mg/kg) resulted in morphologic damage to both segments of the intestinal epithelium. These data indicate that the gut is a target during sepsis and that regional differences exist within the small bowel with respect to induction of nitric oxide synthase and lipid peroxidation following LPS treatment. Thus, while induction of nitric oxide synthase during endotoxic shock may still represent a mechanism of local intestinal damage, it is not necessarily associated with enhanced lipid peroxidation.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

Autoantibodies and target antigens in antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitides.

In this study of antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated diseases, we determined the prevalence of other autoantibodies and the antigen specificities of ANCA. ANA were common, occurring in 7 of 36 (19%) patients with Wegener's granulomatosis, in 16 of 34 (47%) patients with microscopic polyarteritis, in 6 of 11 (55%) patients with segmental necrotising glomerulonephritis and in 8 of 18 (44%) of those with ANCA-associated systemic vasculitis without renal involvement. ANA were associated more often with pANCA and microscopic polyarteritis than with cANCA (P < 0.05). Patterns were speckled (n = 23), homogeneous (n = 10) or nucleolar (n = 4). Anticardiolipin antibodies were also common, occurring in 10 of 25 (40%) patients with Wegener's granulomatosis, in 8 of 14 (57%) patients with microscopic polyarteritis and in 6 of 18 (33%) of those with a systemic vasculitis. However, anticardiolipin antibodies did not correlate with the presence of ANCA in any of the disease groups. Anti-GBM antibodies were demonstrated in only 2 of 25 (8%) patients with Wegener's granulomatosis, in 1 patient with microscopic polyarteritis (1/14, 7%) and in 1 with segmental necrotising glomerulonephritis (1/11, 9%). All four patients with anti-GBM antibodies had either cANCA or pANCA. In the second part of the study, the target antigens of ANCA were determined in Wegener's granulomatosis, microscopic polyarteritis, systemic vasculitis, inflammatory bowel disease, rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Of the 19 sera with cANCA, 13 (68%) were directed against proteinase 3; other antigens were myeloperoxidase (1/19, 5%), elastase and lactoferrin together (1/19, 5%), lysozyme (1/19, 5%) or unknown (3/19, 16%). Of the 12 (58%) sera from patients with Wegener's granulomatosis who had cANCA, 7 bound to proteinase 3. Antimyeloperoxidase antibodies were present in 14 of 45 (31%) sera with pANCA; other antigens were proteinase 3 (5/45, 11%), elastase (3/45, 78%), lactoferrin (1/45, 2%), cathepsin G (5/45, 11%) or unknown (17/45, 38%). Antimyeloperoxidase antibodies were common in microscopic polyarteritis (6/14, 43%) and systemic vasculitis (5/16, 31%). However, the majority of target antigens in systemic vasculitis and rheumatoid arthritis with pANCA were not determined. "Atypical" ANCA were present in four patients, one with inflammatory bowel disease (1/8, 13%) and three with SLE (3/15, 20%). The specificities were cathepsin G, cathepsin G plus lactoferrin, or unknown in two sera. A recent report has suggested that bactericidal/permeability-increasing protein may be the target in patients with inflammatory bowel disease.

Antibodies, Anticardiolipin↗
PubMed1996

Measurements of cerebral blood flow in post-asphyxiated newborns by color Doppler imaging (CDI).

Cerebral blood flow of 10 asphyxiated term newborns was continuously measured during the first 7 days of life and compared with that of 10 normal term infants by CDI. Frequency spectrum and blood flow variables in the anterior, middle and posterior cerebral arteries were studied. The results showed evidently lower systolic amplitude in patients than that in normal subjects. End diastolic amplitude was zero in part of vessels, and values of blood flow variables were all lower in day 1 of the life as compared with the control groups. Frequency spectrum recovered to normal patterns in 9 survived infants in day 2, but blood flow variables recovered to normal by day 7. Values of resistance index (RI) rose to 1 in some vessels of moderate hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) infants and stayed at 1 in the severe HIE infants. It is concluded that low CBF plays a key role in brain damage of post-asphyxiated newborns and RI may be an important parameter in the evaluation prognosis.

Asphyxia Neonatorum↗