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Biomedical subjects

M Huang

Publications and source records attributed to M Huang.

At least 145 records · Page 8Linked to original sources
PubMed1999

Biochemical and molecular characterization of the Bacillus subtilis acetoin catabolic pathway.

A recent study indicated that Bacillus subtilis catabolizes acetoin by enzymes encoded by the acu gene cluster (F. J. Grundy, D. A. Waters, T. Y. Takova, and T. M. Henkin, Mol. Microbiol. 10:259-271, 1993) that are completely different from those in the multicomponent acetoin dehydrogenase enzyme system (AoDH ES) encoded by aco gene clusters found before in all other bacteria capable of utilizing acetoin as the sole carbon source for growth. By hybridization with a DNA probe covering acoA and acoB of the AoDH ES from Clostridium magnum, genomic fragments from B. subtilis harboring acoA, acoB, acoC, acoL, and acoR homologous genes were identified, and some of them were functionally expressed in E. coli. Furthermore, acoA was inactivated in B. subtilis by disruptive mutagenesis; these mutants were impaired to express PPi-dependent AoDH E1 activity to remove acetoin from the medium and to grow with acetoin as the carbon source. Therefore, acetoin is catabolized in B. subtilis by the same mechanism as all other bacteria investigated so far, leaving the function of the previously described acu genes obscure.

Acetoin↗
PubMed1999

[HLA-DQA1 genes involved in the genetic susceptibility to duodenal ulcer in Wuhan Hans].

OBJECTIVE: To study the genetic susceptibility of HLA-DQA1 alleles to duodenal ulcer in Chinese Hans from Wuhan and its nearby regions. METHODS: Seventy patients with duodenal ulcer and fifty healthy controls were examined for HLA-DQA1 genotypes. HLA-DQA1 typing was carried out by digesting the locus specific polymerase chain reaction amplified products with alleles specific restriction enzymes (PCR-RFLP), Apal I, Basj I, Hph I, Fok I, Mbo II and Mnl I. RESULTS: The allele frequency of DQA1 0301 in patients with duodenal ulcer (64.3%) was significantly higher than that in healthy controls (36%). In contrast, the allele frequency of DQA1 0102 in patients with duodenal ulcer (8.6%) was significantly lower than that in healthy controls (26%). CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that DQA1 0301 is a susceptible gene for duodenal ulcer in Wuhan Hans while DQA1 0102 is its resistant gene, and there are immunogenetic differences in HLA-DQA1 locus between duodenal ulcer patients and healthy controls.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1999

[Cloning of the idiopathic azoospermia related genes with mRNA differential display method].

OBJECTIVE: Defect of some genes related to spermatogenesis may result in male infertility with azoospermia. This study aimed to clone some of the genes. METHODS: Testis tissues from a patient with idiopathic azoospermia and from a normal fathered man were investigated with an improved mRNA differential display approach. RESULTS: Significant difference was observed between the two tissues in gene expression. Five differential expressed sequence-tags (ESTs) were cloned and sequenced. Homology analysis with software advanced BLAST 2.0 showed that one EST shared 100% homology with cosmid L27h9, which located in Huntington's disease region on 4p16.3; the other 4 showed very low homology with sequences in GenBank. CONCLUSION: Azoospermia has complex genetic heterogeneity. A gene located in Huntington's disease region on 4p16.3 is expressed in human testis during the spermatogenesis, and a loss of its function may associate with azoospermia.

Cloning, Organism↗
PubMed1999

The use of an information system architecture modeling tool in the development of disease management systems.

UNLABELLED: A Disease Management System (DMS) refers to an integrated healthcare delivery system that provides patient centered care throughout the course of the disease independent of delivery site. A fundamental barrier for the development, implementation and monitoring of a DMS is lack of an appreciation by care providers of the complexity of these systems, and what is required for their maintenance. Foremost in the development of these systems is the presence of information systems that attempt to deal with the temporal, spatial and information needs of the DMS. PURPOSE: The Zachman Framework for Information Systems Architecture is used in many industries in the development of information systems. Its choice is based on the recognition of a need for a methodology in the conceptualization and modeling of complex information systems. This paper provides a brief overview of the Zachman Framework and its potential application in DMS development. In particular it will be the focus on the need for "perspective" clarification as the first step in the development of such complex systems. RESULTS: This paper reviews DMS and their potential information needs. The clarification of "perspectives" provides a method toward team building and unification of purpose by decreasing conflict and recognizing the unique contributions that each perspective holder makes.

Delivery of Health Care, Integrated↗
PubMed1999

[The treatment of intrauterine growth retardation with ant polyrhachis vicina roger].

OBJECTIVE: To study the growth promoting effect of ant Polyrhachis Vicina Roger. METHODS: Mated rats were divided into 3 groups, group A was non-smoking control group, group B was smoking induced intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR) group, group C was smoking induced IUGR rats fed with ant Polyrhachis Vicina Roger, then growth indices of fetal rats in each group were evaluated. RESULTS: The result showed that, the average birth weight, body length and tail length of fetal rats in treatment group were significantly higher than those of two control groups (P < 0.01); the incidence of IUGR was significantly lower in treatment group than that of two control groups (P < 0.01); the fetal mortality rate was significantly lower in treatment group than that of two control groups (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Ant Polyrhachis Vicina Roger is rich in amino acids, vitamines and trace elements, which could help the growth of fetal rats. Polyrhachis Vicina Roger is also rich in ecdysterone, that is growth hormone of insects, it has a strong protein anabolic effect, which might contribute to the growth promoting effect of Polyrhachis Vicina Roger.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

[The effect of vasectomy on spermatogenesis and proliferation of rat spermatogenic cell].

In order to explore the effect of vasectomy on spermatogenesis and proliferation of rat spermatogenic cell, we detected the DNA content of rat spermatogenic cells by flow cytometry at 4 weeks and 8 weeks after vasectomy. The results showed that the percentages of 1C cell group (spermatid and sperm) in the two experimental groups were apparently lower than that of the two control groups respectively (P < 0.05), but the percentage of 2C cell group (spermatogonium and spermotocyte) in the two experiment groups were much higher than those of the two control groups respectively (P < 0.05); The proliferation index (PI) of experimental groups was significantly lower than that of control groups (P < 0.05) and most of the cells in the experimental groups were on G0/G phase. The percentage of S-phase cell in the 8 weeks experimental group was obviously lower than that of the 4 weeks experimental group. These findings suggest that vasectomy in rat may affect many stages in spermatogenesis and delay the proliferation of spermatogenic cell.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

[Effects of lovastatin on plasma lipid, plasma glucose and insulin metabolism of patients with type II B hyperlipemia].

This study was directed at the effects of lovastatin on plasma glucose and insulin metabolism of patients with Type II B hyperlipemia. Thirty patients with Type II B hyperlipemia were observed. At the beginning, We detected the patients' TC, TG, HDL-C, VLDL-C with enzyme assay, calculated their LDL-C with formula, determined their plasmaglucose(PG) with oxidase assay and plasma insulin(PI) with immunoradioassay, and then we performed OGTT and insulin release test, these indices were detected again after the administration of 8 weeks' lovastatin therapy (20 mg per day). The results showed that, aftert the therapy, TC and LDL-C decreased significantly(P < 0.05), TG, HDL-C and VLDL-C had no significant change(P > 0.05). Fasting plasma glucose(FPG) and fasting plasma insulin(FPI) increased (the former, P < 0.05). Two hours after administration of glucose, the level of plasma glucose(2hPG) and plasma insulin(2hPI)increased(the latter, P < 0.05). 1/(FPG x FPI) had no significant change, but 1/(2hPG x 2hPI) decreased (P < 0.05). These data indicate that long-period use of lavastatin may cause insulin resistance. So we advise patients with Type II B hyperlipemia treated by statin to limit their glucose intake in case of hyperinsulinemia and insulin resistance.

Aged↗
PubMed1999

Modulation of in vivo granuloma formation related to regulation of in vitro IFN-gamma and IL-4 expressions in experimental schistosomiasis japonica.

OBJECTIVE: To find out relationship between the in vitro schistosome egg antigen (SEA) stimulated IFN-gamma and IL-4 mRNA expressions and the in vivo SEA elicited granulomatous responses, the transcriptions of IFN-gamma and IL-4 gene were investigated in the spleen of BALB/c mice infected with Schistosoma japonicum (S. japonicum). METHODS: Spleens were removed at 0, 3, 5, 8, and 10 and 12 weeks after infection and the spleen cells were incubated in the presence of SEA. The extracted RNA was analyzed for IFN-gamma and IL-4 mRNA by reverse transcription PCR (RT-PCR). Newly-formed liver granulomas were measured. RESULTS: The study revealed that no detectable IFN-gamma and IL-4 mRNA RT-PCR products were found in SEA treated spleen cells from uninfected, or 3-week infected mice, whereas IL-4 mRNA was found to be expressed in 5- and 8-week infected mice, and an appreciable enhanced expression of IL-4 mRNA was observed in SEA stimulated spleen cells at 8-week infection than at 5-week infections. However, SEA could not induce IFN-gamma and IL-4 mRNA transcription in 10- and 12-week infected mice, indicating the modulated expression of IFN-gamma and IL-4 mRNA. CONCLUSION: The significant changes of IL-4 mRNA expression in SEA stimulated spleen cells during S. japonicum infection were coincident with SEA elicited granuloma formation and modulation in vivo.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

[Evaluation of biliary CEA in the diagnosis of colorectal cancer with liver metastases].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical significance of biliary CEA for diagnosing colorectal cancer with liver metastases. METHODS: Three groups of patients were examined: 30 patients with benign disease in group A, 30 patients with colorectal cancer in group B, and 15 colorectal cancer patients with liver metastasis in group C. Fasting venous blood was drawn, and in the meatime, bile was collected by duodenal tube drainage before operation. CEA was detected with immunosorbent assay kit supplied by Boehringer. RESULTS: The serum level of CEA in group A, B, and C was (3.2 +/- 0.5) ng/ml, (11.7 +/- 2.4) ng/ml, and (14.8 +/- 3.5) ng/ml, respectively. The biliary CEA level was (23.7 +/- 8.6) ng/ml, (129.4 +/- 36) ng/ml, and (862 +/- 227) ng/ml, respectively. The difference in biliary CEA between group B and group C was statistically significant (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: CEA level in the bile collected by duodenal drainage helps confirm liver metastasis in patients with colorectal cancer.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

[The therapeutic effect of ligustrazin and salvia miltiorrhiza on the gene expression of alpha1 (I) and alpha1 (III) procollagen in rat pulmonary fibrosis].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of ligustrazin and salvia miltiorrhiza on collagen gene expression in rat pulmonary fibrosis (PF). METHODS: The tested animals were divided into 7 groups: normal control, untreated animal groups (day 7, 14 and 29), Ligustrazin, Salvia Miltiorrhiza and hydrocortisone groups. Treatment was started from day 15 to day 28. HE stain and in situ hybridization with alpha(1) (I) and alpha(1) (III) procollagen (PC) cDNA probes were applied to rat lungs on day 29. The results were quantified by a feature analysor. RESULTS: All the three drugs were effective, ligustrazin the best (P < 0.01), salvia miltiorrhiza the second (P < 0.01). In untreated groups both alpha(1) (I) and alpha(1) (III) PC mRNA reached the maximum on day 7. Alpha(1) (I) PC mRNA still kept high on day 29 while alpha(1) (III) PC mRNA had decreased to normal. In ligustrazin group alpha(1) (I) PC mRNA decreased to normal (P > 0.05) but in salvia miltiorrhiza and hydrocortisone groups it was still above normal level (P < 0.01). In all groups alpha(1) (III) PC mRNA had decreased to normal on day 29. CONCLUSIONS: Inhibitive effect of ligustrazin on alpha(1) (I) PC mRNA may play an important role in treating PF. The effect of salvia miltiorrhiza is less than ligustrazin.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

[Magnetic resonance imaging in 40 cases of optic neuritis].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the clinical value of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in optic neuritis. METHODS: Forty patients with optic neuritis were examined with the spectral presaturation inversion recovery and fluid attenuated inversion recovery. RESULTS: The lesion was frequently seen in orbital portion (86.7%) and intracanalicular portion (29.3%), and primarily in the axial part (49.3%) and transverse section (38.7%) of the optic nerve. The longitudinal extent of lesion was from 2 to 35 mm (mean, 12.6 mm), the visual acuity of patients with optic neuritis was related to the site of the lesion, and negatively correlated with the longitudinal extent of lesion of logarithm curve. A poor visual acuity (< 0.01) was significantly associated with lesion of greater extent > 10 mm and the transverse or axial lesion, but the good visual acuity (>or= 0.3), with the lesion of smaller extent < 10 mm and the axial or peripheral lesion. In addition, paramagnetic contrast-medium, Gd-DTPA, enhancement scanning was carried out in 11 cases of optic neuritis, of them the visual acuity was increased in 10 cases after administration of corticosteroid, and in one case, visual improvement was not seen. CONCLUSION: MRI is a new and useful equipment which is helpful in the diagnosis and treatment of optic neuritis.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1999

[A study on homozygous deletion, hypermethylation, mutation and expression of p16 gene in human breast cancer].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the homozygous deletion (HZD), hypermethylation and mutation of p16 gene in human breast cancer and the relationship between the structural alterations of p16 gene and its expression. METHODS: PCR and PCR-methylation assay with silver staining (PCR-MASS) were used to detect HZD and hypermethylation of p16 gene exon 1 in 60 fresh breast cancers and 24 normal breast tissues adjacent to cancer (as control tissues). PCR-SSCP and DNA sequencing were used for the analysis of p16 gene mutation. Moreover, p16 gene and mRNA were also detected in the 60 cases. RESULTS: Of the 60 breast cancers, HZD was found in 7 cases, hypermethylation and mutation were found in 16 and 4 cases respectively, and the difference was statistically significant. The positive rates of p16 protein and mRNA in breast cancer were 28/60 and 39/60 respectively. CONCLUSION: The results demonstrate that several kinds of p16 gene structural changes exist in breast cancer. The structural changes of p16 gene cause abnormal p16 expression, the main mechanisms are hypermethylation, while HZD or mutation are the secondary causes. Abnormal expression of p16 gene then becomes involved in the development and metastasis of breast cancer.

Breast Neoplasms↗
PubMed1999

[Analysis of results of fundamental frequency and voice parameter in healthy young people].

OBJECTIVE: To study and analyzing the parameter values of voice in normal healthy young people. METHOD: In present paper, voice quality of 153 cases were collected and analyzed with Dr. Speech software. RESULT: Jitter was (0.18 +/- 0.07)%, Shimmer (1.60 +/- 0.74)%, HNR (Harmonics-to-Noise Ratio) (25.34 +/- 3.12) dB, SNR (Signal-to-Noise Ratio) (25.39 +/- 3.09) dB and NNE (Normalized Noise Energy(-16.95 +/- 3.57) dB. Average of fundamental frequency in male was (160.81 +/- 24.27) Hz, in female was (297.42 +/- 35.89) Hz and in all was (206.35 +/- 70.77) Hz. At the same time, the results of some correlative parameter about voice was taken. CONCLUSION: We considered that there were significant differences between gender about fundamental frequency in parameter values of voice. Three formant produced at 4.5 times, 8.64 times, 17.04 times of the fundamental frequency in male, at 2.07 times, 4.96 times, 7.28 times in female. This data was usefulness to evaluate voice results of normal or abnormal.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1999

[The enantiomeric separation of aromatic alcohol amino drugs by thin-layer chromatography].

Two chiral aromatic alcohol amino drugs, Labarol and Bataroc, were resolved by thinlayer chromatography (TLC) on the silica gel GF254 plates (2.5 cm x 10 cm), by using the ammonium-D-10-camphorsulfonate (CSA) as chiral ion-pair interaction agent which was added to the mobile phase in the ammonium form. All developments were carried out at lower temperature (2-4 degrees C, in a refrigerator) in small glass jars of 250 mL volume. These two drugs were not resolved at room temperature (15-30 degrees C). Analytical reagent grade methanol and dichloromethane can be directly used as mobile phase without further drying. The chiral separation occured over a range from 40% to 70% (optimum 67%) dichloromethane in the mobile phase volume ratio and 55% to 80% (optimum 60%) dichloromethane in the mobile phase volume ratio. These separation conditions were easily obtained. This method is relatively inexpensive and attractive.

Amino Alcohols↗
PubMed1999

[A pilot study on malaria control by using a new strategy of combining strengthening infection source treatment and health education in mountainous areas of Hainan province].

AIM: To explore a new malaria control strategy that fits current epiodemiological condition and coincides with modern medicine model and the principle of cost-benefit. METHODS: The new strategy highlights the risk villages and risk population as the focal point and integrates health education with behavioral intervention. The main anti-malaria measures consists of carrying out health education in risk villages, giving mass drug administrations in risk population staying overnight in the mountain, following up malaria cases for implementing radical cure, but without using traditional residual spraying or impregnating bednets with insecticides. RESULTS: After having adopted the new strategy and taken the control measures, the people's knowledge about malaria increased to a higher level and the indices of malaria reduced to a lower level. The rate of bednet-using in the population was increased from 26.8% to 72.6%. The annual parasite incidence (API) of malaria was declined from 3.5% in 1994 to 1.1% in 1996 and 0.8% in 1997, and the API of falciparum malaria was declined from 1.0% to 0.3% and 0.3% respectively in the townships at the same time. The parasite rate(PR) of malaria was declined from 7.2% in May, 1995 to 2.1% in November, 1996 and 1.2% in October, 1997 and the PR of falciparum malaria was declined from 1.2% in May, 1995 to 0.1% in October, 1997. The proportion of villages without malaria cases was increased from 18.6% in 1994 to 54.2% in 1997, and the number of risk villages with a malaria incidence above 5% was reduced from 14 to 2 at the same time. The ratio of cost/benefit was 1:2.4 in 1995-1996 and 1:4.4 in 1997, showing a better economic benefit. CONCLUSION: The expectant result has been obtained, thereby providing new experience for the malaria control in the mountainous areas of Hainan Province.

China↗