Biomedical subjects

L Zhu

Publications and source records attributed to L Zhu.

At least 181 records · Page 10Linked to original sources

PubMed2000

[The clinical features and study on therapeutic effects of fungal keratitis].

OBJECTIVE: To review the clinical features and therapeutic effects of fungal keratitis (FK). METHODS: 110 cases (110 eyes) with the disease were divided into two types: hyphomycetic keratitis in 94 eyes and candida keratitis in 16 eyes. The clinical features and therapeutic effects of the two types were observed and compared. RESULTS: The hyphomycetic keratitis generally had a plant traumatic history. The border of corneal infiltration was not clear with feather edges, and had a tendency to penetrate into the deep stroma of cornea. There were endothelial plaques, hypopyon and bad therapeutic effects. The pathogenicity of cardida keratitis (CK) was related to the local long-term use of glucocorticoid, the fungus seldom expanded into the deep corneal layers and infiltrated into the inner eye. Its therapeutic effects were better. The border of CK was characterized with limitations, and was clear. CONCLUSIONS: The clinical features of the two types are different. The clinical features caused by different or the same pathogenic fungi show great variations. Early diagnoses, correct use of medicine and operation are the key points to increase the curative rate.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2000

[The protective effects on postburn renal function by early enteral feeding in burned rats].

OBJECTIVE: To study the effects of enteral feeding on postburn renal function in rats and its possible mechanism. METHODS: Wistar rats inflicted with 30% TBSA skin burn were adopted as the model. The effects of early enteral feeding (EEF) were dynamically observed on the changes of intra-gastric mucosal pH (pHi), portal endotoxin level, renal water content, plasma level of tumor necrosis factoralpha (TNFalpha), serum BUN and Cr contents and endogenous creatinine clearance rate. RESULTS: Compared with that in simple burn group, the pHi decrease could be inhibited by EEF, the portal endotoxin level, plasma TNFalpha level and renal water content were decreased by the action of EEF. Serum BUN, Cr contents were not affected by EEF. But the CCr increased by 4.67 times [from (16.43 +/- 2.9) to (3.52 +/- 0.79), P < 0.01] with EEF. CONCLUSION: EEF could obviously improve postburn renal function in severely burned rats, which might be related to the decrease of enteral endotoxin translocation and the postburn release of inflammatory mediators.

Animals↗

PubMed2000

[Comparative study of clinical features of childhood and adult acute lymphoblastic leukemia].

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the outcome, the immunological and cytogenetic characteristics and the frequency of primary multi-drug resistance of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) in our hospital during the past two years. METHOD: The complete remission (CR) rate of 154 newly diagnosed ALL patients were analysed and the biological features of the leukemic cells were explored by immunochemistry and cytogenetics. RESULTS: The CR rate in the ALL children is 94.1% which is significantly higher than that of adult ALL patients (67.8%). Immunophenotype analysis showed that 18.5% of the children expressed myeloid antigens besides lymphoid antigens and 4.8% of them were Ph chromosome positive. Both the figures were lower than that of adult patients. CONCLUSION: Childhood ALL has distinct morphological, immunological and cytogenetic (MIC) features, which might contribute to the good prognosis of the patients.

ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Mem↗

PubMed2000

Effects of dopamine receptor agonists on the cAMP content in arteries of the rabbit.

Effects of selective dopamine-1 (DA(1)) receptor agonist fenoldopam and dopamine-2 (DA(2)) receptor agonist propy1-butyl-dopamine (PBDA) on the cAMP generation system in renal, pulmonary, mesenteric and femoral arteries of rabbits were studied. The results are as follows. (1) Fenoldopam increased the cAMP production in a dose-dependent manner in pulmonary, renal and mesenteric arteries. This effect of fenoldopam was markedly blocked by specific DA(1) receptor antagonist SCH23390, but not at all by specific DA(2) receptor antagonist domperidone. (2) PBDA induced a dose-dependent decrease in cAMP content in femoral artery. However, the antagonist also moderately increased a dose-dependent cAMP production in mesenteric, pulmonary, and renal arteries. (3) Domperidone significantly decreased the inhibitory effect of PBDA on cAMP production in femoral artery, while it stimulated cAMP production in mesenteric artery but was of no effect on that in renal and pulmonary arteries. (4) SCH23390 had no effect on the inhibitory action of PBDA in decreasing cAMP content in femoral artery, while it markedly decreased the stimulatory action of PBDA on cAMP production in renal, pulmonary and mesenteric arteries. These findings suggest the presence of DA(1) receptors mediating the cAMP generation system in renal, pulmonary and mesenteric arteries, but only DA(2) receptors in femoral artery, and both DA1 and DA(2) receptors in mesenteric artery. PBDA inhibits the AC activity via stimulation of DA(2) receptors and increases the AC activity via stimulation of DA(1) receptors.

Animals↗

PubMed2000

[Determination of the butyl 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetate in the workshop by gas chromatography].

The new method for determining the content of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid butyl ester in the workshop by using gas chromatography is presented. The experiments for precision and efficiency have been performed. The range of determination is 0.05-2.5 mg/m3. The minimum detectable mass concentration is 25 micrograms/m3. The method meets the requirement of the "monitoring and researching standard for toxic substances", and shows that it can be applied in routine analysis.

2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic Acid↗

PubMed2000

[Comparison of the effectiveness of levofloxacin and cefuroxime for the treatment of sinusitis].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effectiveness of levofloxacin and cefuroxime for the treatment of sinusitis in adults. METHOD: Patients with acute or chronic sinusitis were randomly assigned to receive either levofloxacin (200 mg orally once daily, 200/100 mg twice daily) or cefuroxime (250 mg orally twice daily) for 10 to 14 days. Pre- or post-treatment, the clinical and laboratory examination were done and in the end of treatment, the efficacy and safety were assessment. RESULT: The success rates after the end of treatment were 97.4% for the 76 patients who received levofloxacin and 92.8% for the 14 patients who received cefuroxime. The resolution rates of bacteria were 91.6% and 80.0%, respectively. The safety of these two groups were more high. CONCLUSION: Levofloxacin is effective for the treatment of sinusitis in adults and pay attention to the course of treatment for raising the efficacy of treatment.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2000

[Laboratory diagnosis of Acanthamoeba keratitis].

OBJECTIVE: To find a rapid method for diagnosing Acanthamoeba keratitis and identifying Acanthamoeba. METHODS: 10% potassium hydroxide (KOH) wet-mount preparations, Acanthamoeba culture, inverted phase contrast microscopy, and pathological examination using H. E. staining and PAS staining. RESULTS: Using corneal scrapings and corneal materials obtained from surgery, 7 cases and 5 cases of Acanthamoeba keratitis were diagnosed by 10% KOH wet-mount preparations. 6 strains of Acanthamoeba were isolated in corneal materials of 6 cases by protozoa culture method. The cysts, trophozoites and pseudopods on the trophozoites of Acanthamoeba were directly observed under the inverted phase contrast microscope. The cysts and trophozoites of Acanthamoeba were seen by H. E. staining and PAS staining with 20 h. CONCLUSION: Acanthamoeba keratitis could be rapidly diagnosed by 10% KOH wet-mount preparations and inverted phase contrast microscopy. Acanthamoeba organisms could be directly observed and identified under inverted phase contrast microscope.

Acanthamoeba↗

PubMed2000

[Determination of naringin and synephrine in fructus aurantii from different habitats by HPLC].

This paper reports the determination of Naringin and Synephrine in Fructus Aurantii from different habitats by HPLC. The result shows the highest content of Naringin in Citrus aurantium L. 'Xiangcheng' from genuine crude drug habitat Xingan city Jiangxi provice, the highest content of synephrine in Citrus aurantium L. 'Xiangcheng' from Yiyang city Jiangxi provice. Quality evaluation of genuine crude drug was studied preliminarily.

China↗

PubMed2000

[Comparison of the effects of xianyu tablet and its component on electrophoretic mobility of serum LDL and expression of ET-1 mRNA and iNOS mRNA of vessel wall in atherosclerotic rabbits].

Xiaoyu tablet, a compound preparation of Chinese herbal medicines, consists of Radix Salviae Miltiorrhizae(SM) and Fructus Crataegi(FC) extracts. To determine whether the proved recipe was reasonable, the effects of Xiaoyu tablet and its component on electrophoretic mobility of serum LDL and expression of ET-1 mRNA and iNOS mRNA of vessel wall in atherosclerotic rabbits were observed. The results indicated that inhibition of expression iNOS mRNA in vessel wall by Xiaoyu tablet was the same as its single extract of SM or FC, but Xiaoyu talbet was superior to SM or FC extract in reduction of electrophoretic mobility of serum LDL and inhibition of ET-1 mRNA expression in vessel wall. These results suggested that there was obvious synergism on prevention and treatment of atherosclerosis when both of the Chinese herbal medicines were simultaneously used.

Animals↗

PubMed2000

[The development of a original multifunctional peritoneal biopsy needle].

A multifunctional peritoneal biopsy needle is introduced in this paper, which can be used for peritoneal biopsy, brush biopsy and routine, biochemical and cytological examination. The clinical applications show that it could raise markedly the diagnosis rate of ascites, and especially it has important clinic diagnosis value for tuberculous and cancer ascites, and primary peritonitis complicated by hepatocirrhosis. It is simple, safe and practical to operate this needle.

Ascites↗

PubMed2000

[Expression of the gene encoding human leukocyte differentiation antigen 5D4].

OBJECTIVE: To make sure that 5D4 cDNA is a full length cDNA and to prepare antigens to make monoclonal antibodies against different epitopes in 5D4 protein. METHODS: Recombinant expression vectors pGEX-5X-3-5D4 (full length) and pGEX-5X-3-5D4 (5'fragment) were constructed. 5D4 polypeptides were expressed in Escherichia coli DH5 alpha. 5D4 mRNA expression was detected in various tissues and cell lines with Northern blot assay and RT-PCR. RESULTS: Northern blot demonstrated five mRNA transcripts of 1.9, 2.4, 3.9, 4.5, and 10.0 kb in length existing and expressing of various extent in various tissues. The 1.9 kb mRNA transcript was observed only in the spleen and the small intestinal tissues. The expression of 5D4 mRNA was different in various cell lines. 5D4 polypeptides were expressed in Escherichia coli DH5 alpha. CONCLUSION: The 1,846 bp 5D4 cDNA is a full length cDNA. A full length 5D4 protein and a 5D4 polypeptide which is the NH2 side to the transmembrane region fused with GST with a molecular weight of 66,000 and 60,000 expressing in Escherichia coli DH5 alpha.

Antigens, CD↗

PubMed2000

[Effect of 6A8 alpha-mannosidase expression on the proliferative response of human B cell line 3D5].

OBJECTIVE: To study the effect of 6A8 alpha-mannosidase expression on the proliferative response of human B cell 3D5. METHODS: Recombination of adeno-associated virus vector(rAAV) mediated delivery of sense 6A8 DNA or antisense 6A8 DNA into 3D5 cells, and monoclonal antibody 6A8 alpha staining and Con A binding assay for determination of the change of 6A8 alpha-mannosidase expression, MTT assay for proliferation detection of 3D5 cells driven by Staphylococcus aureus crude cell suspension formalin-fixed (SAC), lower molecular weight B cell growth factor (LMW-BCGF), or rIL-6. RESULTS: The expression of 6A8 alpha-mannosidase was enhanced in sense 6A8-transduced cells and reduced in antisense 6A8-transduced cells. In comparison with the wild type and the mock-transduced cells, the proliferative response of the sense 6A8-transduced cells to SAC stimulation was enhanced (P < 0.05). However, transduction with antisense 6A8 did not affect the response. In addition, transduction with either sense or antisense 6A8 had no effect on proliferation of 3D5 cells induced by LMW-BCGF or IL-6. CONCLUSION: The proliferative response to SAC stimulation was enhanced in the 3D5 cells with enhanced expression of 6A8 alpha-mannosidase. Either enhancement or reduction of 6A8 alpha-mannosidase expression had no effect on proliferation induced by LMW-BCGF or IL-6.

B-Lymphocytes↗

PubMed2000

[Insulin-like growth factor-I(IGF-I), and its binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3) correlated with fetal development].

OBJECTIVE: To study the relations between IGF-I, IGFBP-3 and human fetal growth. METHODS: The blood samples of maternal serum (MS) and umbilical cord serum (UCS) from 81 cases with singleton term pregnancy including 38 cases of normal pregnancy (NP), 20 cases of gestational diabetic mellitus (GDM), 23 cases of macrosomia of non-diabetic pregnancy (MNDP) were examined for IGF-I and IGFBP-3 levels by immunoassay kit from DSL, USA. RESULTS: IGF-I in MS of NP and MNDP showed a positive correlation with birth weight (BW) (r = 0.653 and r = 0.640 respectively, both P < 0.01). IGF-I of MS in MNDP was higher than that in NP (P < 0.05). IGF-I of MS and UCS in GDM were higher than that in NP (P < 0.05). IGF-I and IGFBP-3 of UCS in these three groups were significantly lower than that of MS (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Detection of IGF-I in MS can assess fetal intra-uterus growth, birth weight and has certain value of predicting macrosomia. IGF-I and IGFBP-3 play important roles for human fetal growth.

Adult↗

PubMed1999

Goosecoid regulates the neural inducing strength of the mouse node.

The homeobox gene goosecoid was the first specific genetic marker of Spemann's organizer in vertebrate embryos to be discovered. In the frog, misexpression of this gene by RNA injection produces duplication of the posterior axis. For these reasons, the recent finding that mice lacking goosecoid function have no early axial defects was rather surprising. Here we assay the neural inducing strength of wild-type and goosecoid-mutant mouse nodes by transplantation into primitive streak stage chick embryos. Wild-type mouse nodes strongly induce the neural-specific transcription factors Sox2 and Sox3 in the chick host. Homozygous goosecoid(-/- )nodes are severely impaired in their ability to induce both genes. Heterozygous goosecoid(+/-) nodes induce Sox3 as well as wild-type nodes, but resemble -/- nodes in their limited ability to induce Sox2. We propose that goosecoid does play a role in regulating the neural inducing strength of the node and that regulative mechanisms exist which mask the early phenotypic consequences of goosecoid mutations in the intact mouse embryo.

Animals↗

PubMed1999

V(D)J recombinational signal sequence DNA binding activities expressed by fetal bovine thymus.

V(D)J recombination, or immunoglobulin gene rearrangement is a developmentally regulated, cell type specific, site directed recombination event that brings either immunoglobulin or T-cell receptor gene segments together to form mature, expressible Ig or TCT genes. This DNA recombination is directed by the recombinational signal sequences or RSS elements present adjacent to Ig and TCR gene segments. The RSS element is composed of a conserved nonamer element and a conserved heptamer element separated by a conserved length spacer region. In this report, we examine the expression of DNA binding proteins that interact with the RSS element in the bovine fetal thymus using EMSA assays. Our data indicates that the nonamer portion of the RSS element is the primary site of recognition for RSS binding proteins expressed in the bovine fetal thymus. We also show that these proteins are expressed from early stages of bovine fetal development through to full term development.

Animals↗

PubMed1999

Modulation of mitochondrial Ca(2+) homeostasis by Bcl-2.

We have investigated the role of mitochondrial Ca(2+) (Ca(m)) homeostasis in cell survival. Disruption of Ca(m) homeostasis via depletion of the mitochondrial Ca(2+) store was the earliest event that occurred during staurosporine-induced apoptosis in neuroblastoma cells (SH-SY5Y). The decrease of Ca(m) preceded activation of the caspase cascade and DNA fragmentation. Overexpression of the anti-apoptosis protein Bcl-2 led to increased Ca(m) load, increased mitochondrial membrane potential (DeltaPsi(m)), and inhibition of staurosporine-induced apoptosis. On the other hand, ectopic expression of the pro-apoptotic protein Bik led to decreased Ca(m) load and decreased DeltaPsi(m). Inhibition of calcium uptake into mitochondria by ruthenium red induced a dose-dependent apoptosis as determined by nuclear staining and DNA ladder assay. Similarly, reducing the Ca(m) load by lowering the extracellular calcium concentration also led to apoptosis. We suggest that the anti-apoptotic effect of Bcl-2 is related to its ability to maintain a threshold level of Ca(m) and DeltaPsi(m) while the pro-apoptotic protein Bik has the opposite effect. Furthermore, both ER and mitochondrial Ca(2+) stores are important, and the depletion of either one will result in apoptosis. Thus, our results, for the first time, provide evidence that the maintenance of Ca(m) homeostasis is essential for cell survival.

Calcium↗

PubMed1999

Characterization of human herpesvirus-8 K8.1A/B glycoproteins by monoclonal antibodies.

Human herpesvirus-8 K8.1 gene encodes for two immunogenic class I glycoproteins, K8.1A and B, originating from spliced messages [(1998) Virology 243, 208-217]. The 228-amino-acid-long K8.1A open reading frame (ORF) contains four N-glycosylation sites and the 167-amino-acid-long K8.1B ORF contains three N-glycosylation sites, sharing similar amino- and carboxyl-termini with ORF K8.1A but with an in-frame deletion [(1998) Virology 249, 140-149]. To characterize the K8.1A and B glycoproteins in the infected body cavity-based B cell lymphoma (BCBL-1) cells and in the virion envelopes, monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) recognizing only K8.1A protein or both K8.1A and B proteins were generated. These antibodies reacted with the infected cell membranes and virion envelopes. Stable COS-1 transformant cells expressed the K8.1A and B proteins independently on the plasma membranes. MAbs recognized multiple proteins with molecular weights ranging from 23 to 72 kDa from the BCBL-1 cells and COS-1 cells and the 72 to 68 kDa molecular-weight proteins from the virion particles. The K8.1A is the predominant protein affinity purified from the infected BCBL-1 cells. Digestion with glycosidases show that these proteins contain both N- and O-linked sugars, suggesting that the multiple proteins recognized by the MAbs represent the precursor and product forms of K8.1A and B proteins, and the 72 to 68 kDa molecular-weight proteins represent the virion particle-associated mature forms of these glycoproteins.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed1999

Cerberus regulates left-right asymmetry of the embryonic head and heart.

BACKGROUND: Most of the molecules known to regulate left-right asymmetry in vertebrate embryos are expressed on the left side of the future trunk region of the embryo. Members of the protein family comprising Cerberus and the putative tumour suppressor Dan have not before been implicated in left-right asymmetry. In Xenopus, these proteins have been shown to antagonise members of the transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta) and Wnt families of signalling proteins. RESULTS: Chick Cerberus (cCer) was found to be expressed in the left head mesenchyme and in the left flank of the embryo. Expression on the left side of the head was controlled by Sonic hedgehog (Shh) acting through the TGF-beta family member Nodal; in the flank, cCer was also regulated by Shh, but independently of Nodal. Surprisingly, although no known targets of Cerberus are expressed asymmetrically on the right side of the embryo at these stages, misexpression of cCer on this side of the embryo led to upregulation of the transcription factor Pitx2 and reversal of the direction of heart and head turning, apparently as independent events. Consistent with the possibility that cCer may be acting on bilaterally expressed TGF-beta family members such as the bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs), this result was mimicked by right-sided misexpression of the BMP antagonist, Noggin. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that cCer maintains a delicate balance of different TGF-beta family members involved in laterality decisions, and reveal the existence of partially overlapping molecular pathways regulating left-right asymmetry in the head and trunk of the embryo.

Amino Acid Sequence↗